William Procter (December 7, 1801 – April 4, 1884 ) was an English-born American candlemaker and industrialist, who later emigrated to the USA. He was the founder and co-eponym of Procter & Gamble Company in 1837, along with James Gamble.Procter emigrated to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1832, where he married Olivia Norris and started his business. At his father-in-law Alexander Norris's suggestion, he joined forces with his brother-in-law, James Gamble, to establish the company that bears their names.