William Carter (1821-1896) was an early Mormon pioneer and farmer in Utah, having arrived with the Advanced Company on July 22, 1847, and helped establishment settlements in southern Utah. He was known to have plowed the first half acre of land in Utah and for helping build a system of ditches from the Virgin River to help water the crops in the area of St. George, Utah.

William Carter was born February 12, 1821, in Sudbury, Herefordshire, England to Thomas and Sarah Parker Carter. On December 5, 1843, he married Ellen Benbow in Nauvoo, Illinois. They had three children together. Carter was among the Advanced Company to arrive in the Salt Lake Valley on July 22, 1847, and is known to have plowed the first acre of land in Utah. After their arrival in the valley, Carter's family settled in Salt Lake City. On November 29, 1853, Carter took his first plural wife, Harriet Temperance Utley, with whom he had eight children. His families would later be assigned to help settle St. George, Utah. While in St. George, Carter took another plural wife, Sophrona Ellen Turnbow on February 8, 1857, and they had eight children together. Carter helped build the St. George Temple, and was known for building a system of ditches from the Virgin River to help water crops in the St. George area. William Carter died on June 22, 1896, in St. George, Utah.