William E. Cleator, Sr.

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William E. "Bill" Cleator. Sr.

In office
January 1983-May 1983
Preceded by Pete Wilson
Succeeded by Roger Hedgecock

Born May 25, 1927(1927-05-25)
California
Died February 10, 1993 (aged 65)
Nationality Flag of the United States American
Political party Republican
Profession Politician, Businessman

William E. "Bill" Cleator. Sr. (May 25, 1927February 10, 1993) was an American Republican politician from California.

Bill Cleator was born in California and served in the Navy. In 1972 he started his custom office furniture manufacturing business, Cleator Furniture, in San Diego.

In 1979 Cleator was elected councilman of San Diego for 1979–1986 and was known as a rather as an outspoken populist. When Mayor Pete Wilson was elected to the U.S. Senate, Cleator was briefly acting mayor of San Diego from January to May 1983. He ran for mayor in 1983 in a special election, but was defeated.

Cleator caused an uproar in February_1983 during a visit by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. Trying to be helpful on a harbor tour, he briefly, lightly touched the queen's back and said "This way, your Majesty," which apparently is against royal protocol.

Cleator ran again for Mayor in 1986 and was defeated in the primary election.

Cleator helped start the San Diego Cruise Industry Consortium in the 1980s, which was able to get cruise ships to stop at a new downtown cruise ship terminal.

He died of cancer in Point Loma, San Diego, California and is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Bill Cleator Community Park in Point Loma is named for him.

[edit] See also

  • Oral history interview, San Diego Historical Society
Preceded by
Pete Wilson
Mayor of San Diego, California
1983 (Jan.–May)
Succeeded by
Roger Hedgecock