William Woods Holden (24 November 1818 -- 1 March 1892) was the Republican governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina in 1865 and from 1868 to 1871.

William W. Holden had been a supporter of the secessionist movement at the beginning of the U.S. Civil War, but changed to the Republican Party as the war continued.

He was appointed Governor by President Andrew Johnson during occupation, but lost in the elections held later that year. He was elected again as Governor in 1868, but was notorious for a very corrupt administration. He was impeached by the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1871.

He moved to Washington D.C. following his impeachment, but eventually returned to North Carolina.

Preceded by: (first term) Zebulon Baird Vance	Governor of North Carolina 1865, 1868-1871	Succeeded by: (first term) Jonathan Worth
Preceded by: (second term) Jonathan Worth		Succeeded by: (second term) Tod Robinson Caldwell