Bill Cleator

William Edward Cleator Sr. (May 25, 1927 – February 10, 1993) was an American politician from San Diego, California. He served on the City Council for six years including five months as acting mayor. He was a Republican, although city positions are officially nonpartisan per California state law.

Bill Cleator
Member of San Diego City Council representing the Second District
In office
1979–1987
Preceded byMaureen O'Connor
Succeeded byRon Roberts
Acting Mayor of San Diego
In office
January 3, 1983 – May 3, 1983
Preceded byPete Wilson
Succeeded byRoger Hedgecock
Personal details
Born(1927-05-25)May 25, 1927
California
DiedFebruary 10, 1993(1993-02-10) (aged 65)
San Diego
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMarilyn Manville Cleator
RelationsKrista Hanson DeFronzo, Emily Hanson Root (grandchildren)
ChildrenMelissa Cleator Hanson, Molly Cleator, William E. Cleator Jr.
ProfessionPolitician, Businessman

Life and career

Cleator was born in San Diego and served in the Navy. He was a successful industrialist, retiring as CEO of Tool Research Inc. in 1977. He then started Cleator Furniture, a custom office furniture manufacturing business in San Diego, with his nephew, Robert K. Cleator Jr.[1]

In 1979 Cleator was elected to the San Diego City Council representing district 2. He served for six years, from 1979 to 1986. He was known as a rather outspoken populist. When Mayor Pete Wilson was elected to the U.S. Senate, Cleator served as acting Mayor of San Diego from January to May 1983. While serving as acting mayor he hosted a February 1983 visit by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, during which he was heavily criticized for a faux pas. Trying to be helpful on a harbor tour, he lightly touched the queen's back and said "This way, your Majesty," but touching the Queen is against royal protocol.[2]

He ran for mayor in 1983 in the special election to replace Wilson, but was defeated. He ran again for mayor in 1986 and was defeated in the primary election. He decided not to run for a third term on the city council.[3]

Cleator helped start the San Diego Cruise Industry Consortium in the 1980s, which attracted cruise ships to call at a new downtown cruise ship terminal.[4]

He died of cancer in 1993 at his home in the Point Loma neighborhood of San Diego. He is buried with his wife, Marilyn, at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Bill Cleator Community Park in Point Loma is named for him.[5]

See also
  • Oral history interview, San Diego Historical Society

References
  1. "Cleator Furniture". Archived from the original on 2009-10-23. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
  2. "William Cleator". Philadelphia Daily News. Newsbank. February 11, 1993. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  3. Horstman, Barry M. (April 21, 1987). "Ron Schneider Out to Fill Cleator's 2nd District Seat". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  4. Granberry, Michael (May 8, 1991). "Cruise Ship Consortium's Power Diluted". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  5. "Bill Cleator Community Park". Planning Division. City of San Diego. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
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