William Edward Cleary (July 20, 1849 – December 20, 1932) was an American businessman and politician who served four terms as a U.S. Representative from New York from 1918 to 1921, and from 1923 to 1927.

He served as vice president of the New York Board of Trade and Transportation.

Cleary was elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-fifth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Daniel J. Griffin.

His grandson Stephen Edward Smith was a brother-in-law and campaign manager for President John F. Kennedy.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress