UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 13G

 

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. ___)

 

 

 

 

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

 

 

Common Stock, $0.01 par value

(Title of Class of Securities)

 

 

969904101

(CUSIP Number)

 

 

December 31, 2007

(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

 

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

¨ Rule 13d-1(b)

¨ Rule 13d-1(c)

x Rule 13d-1(d)

 

 

*

The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number.

 

Page 1 of 5

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CUSIP No. 969904101
1		Names of Reporting Persons. I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only).   W. Howard Lester
2		Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) (a)  ¨ (b)  ¨
3		SEC Use Only
4		Citizenship or Place of Organization   United States of America

Number of   Shares   Beneficially   Owned by   Each   Reporting   Person   With		5    Sole Voting Power           8,112,725 (1)
		6    Shared Voting Power
		7    Sole Dispositive Power           8,112,725 (1)
		8    Shared Dispositive Power

9		Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person   8,112,725 (1)
10		Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)		¨
11		Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)   7.58%
12		Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)   IN

 

(1)	Includes options to purchase 912,500 shares of common stock that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 2007.

 

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Item 1.

 

(a)

Name of Issuer

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

 

(b)

Address of Issuer’s Principal Executive Offices

3250 Van Ness Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94109

 

Item 2.

 

(a)

Name of Person Filing

W. Howard Lester

 

(b)

Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence

3250 Van Ness Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94109

 

(c)

Citizenship

United States of America

 

(d)

Title of Class of Securities

Common Stock, $.01 par value

 

(e)

CUSIP Number

969904101

 

Item 3.

If this statement is filed pursuant to §§240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:

Not Applicable

 

Item 4.

Ownership

 

(a)

Amount beneficially owed:

8,112,725 (1)

 

(b)

Percent of class:

7.58%

 

(c)

Number of shares as to which the person has:

 

(i)

Sole power to vote or to direct the vote 8,112,725 (1)

 

(ii)

Shared power to vote or to direct the vote 0

 

(iii)

Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 8,112,725 (1)

 

(iv)

Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 0

(1) Includes options to purchase 912,500 shares of common stock that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 2007.

 

		Page 3 of 5

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Item 5.

Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class

If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following   ¨.

Not applicable

 

Item 6.

Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person

Not applicable

 

Item 7.

Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company or Control Person

Not Applicable

 

Item 8.

Identification and Classification of Members of the Group

Not Applicable

 

Item 9.

Notice of Dissolution of Group

Not Applicable

 

Item 10.

Certifications

Not Applicable

 

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SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

 

		Page 5 of 5