William Edward Cleary (born July 20, 1849) was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from New York. He represented New York’s 8th Congressional District and served as a federal legislator during the second and third decades of the twentieth century. His service in Congress places him among the historical members who helped shape national policy in the years surrounding and following the First World War.

Cleary entered Congress on April 2, 1917, and remained in office until March 4, 1927. Over the course of this decade, he served four terms as a representative, reflecting sustained electoral support within his district. As a Democratic representative from New York, he participated in the legislative work of the House during a period marked by significant political, social, and economic change in the United States. His tenure concluded in 1927, after which he is recorded as a former member of Congress.