←All People
William Joseph Jones
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
William Joseph Jones, known as Bill Jones, is a District Court Judge for Judicial District 43, serving Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties in Western North Carolina. He was appointed to the court by Governor Josh Stein in February 2025, filling the vacancy created when Judge Roy Wijewickrama was appointed to the Superior Court in November 2024. He was sworn in on March 3, 2025, at the Haywood County Courthouse in Waynesville.
Background and education
Jones grew up in Sylva, Jackson County, North Carolina. He earned his bachelor's degree from Western Carolina University and his Juris Doctorate from the University of North Carolina School of Law at Chapel Hill.
Career
Before graduating from law school, Jones interned in the district attorney's office covering the seven western counties. After admission to the bar, he served as an Assistant District Attorney for the 30th Judicial District from 1998 to 2003. He then entered private practice, working as a solo practitioner for more than two decades specializing in domestic and criminal law. After his marriage, he relocated to Waynesville in Haywood County.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
North Carolina — campaign finance
- State, county, and municipal candidates — all in one system — NC State Board of Elections — Committee Search. Search by last name “Jones”.
North Carolina — statement of economic interest
- Required for state-elected and many local officials — NC State Ethics Commission — Statement of Economic Interest Search. Search by last name “Jones”.