William P. "Bill" Avery (born February 7, 1942) is a politician from the state of Nebraska in the Midwestern United States. He served two terms in the Nebraska Legislature, from 2007 to 2015. Avery is a retired adjunct professor of political science who specializes in international trade and foreign relations. Born in Harnett County, North Carolina, he received his BS and M.A. from the University of Tennessee and his PhD from Tulane University. He is a professor emeritus at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.