William Cleator; Former San Diego Councilman

William Cleator, 65, a San Diego city councilman for eight years and twice an unsuccessful candidate for mayor. Cleator, who was a councilman from 1979 to 1987, championed pay raises for police officers, warned against over-regulation of businesses and favored the construction of subdivisions and industrial parks. He was defeated in his mayoral campaign in 1983 and 1986 when his pro-growth views were rejected by an electorate worried about the “Los Angelization” of San Diego. While serving as San Diego’s mayor pro tem during a visit by Queen Elizabeth II, Cleator created a minor furor by touching her on the back while guiding her into a reception. Commoners, according to etiquette, are not supposed to touch members of royalty. In San Diego on Wednesday of cancer.