William Leonard Williams (1829–1916) was a prominent nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Anglican clergyman who served as the third Bishop of Waiapu. Throughout his life and career, Williams was highly regarded as an eminent scholar of the Māori language, contributing significantly to the study and preservation of the language within his ecclesiastical work. His scholarly pursuits and religious leadership defined his long tenure in the region.\n\nWilliams belonged to a distinguished family of church leaders. His father, William Williams, was a pioneering figure who served as the first Bishop of Waiapu. Following in his father's footsteps, William Leonard eventually assumed the same bishopric, becoming the third individual to hold the office. This family tradition of religious service continued into the next generation, as his son, Herbert Williams, later became the sixth Bishop of Waiapu. Through his scholarship and his family's multi-generational leadership, Williams left a lasting impact on his diocese before his death in 1916.
