William McCleery was educated privately. From 1945 to 1958 he served as a Unionist member of the Northern Ireland parliament. From 1949 to 1953 he was Minister of Commerce. He was a prominent Orangeman, and in 1954 was Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Northern Ireland; in 1955 he became Grand Master of the Imperial Grand Orange Council of the World.

Born:	1887
Died:	1957