William Goebel (January 4, 1856–February 3, 1900) was an American politician who served as Governor of Kentucky for a few days in 1900. In the midst of a controversy over the gubernatorial election of 1899, which Goebel had contested, he was shot on January 30, 1900 as he was walking up to the old State Capitol building; he was formally made governor the next day, but died of his wounds not long afterward. He was a native of Kenton County in Northern Kentucky. He is known for authoring School Book legislation as well as the Anti-Lottery Law. He is buried in the Frankfort cemetery near the grave of Daniel Boone.