William (Bill) J. Yates is an American photographer known for his depictions of Southern life, memory, and culture. He earned his B.A. in Art and Photography from the University of South Florida and his MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, where he studied under notable figures such as Harry Callahan, Aaron Siskind, and Garry Winogrand. Yates's work has been exhibited at prominent institutions, including the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, and MOCA Georgia. His photography is part of major collections, such as the High Museum of Art and the Corcoran Gallery.