William Joel Blass (October 19, 1917 – October 23, 2012) was an American war veteran, attorney, educator, and politician. Joel Blass was born in Clinton, Mississippi and was educated in Mississippi and Louisiana during the Great Depression. He graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Law in 1940 and received a commission as second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Infantry through the LSU ROTC program. During World War II, Blass served with the Third Army in Europe through VE Day. He received the Bronze Star and attained the rank of major. Blass returned to military service during the Korean War.