William A. Grear

It took almost half a century, but Belle Glade got its first black city commissioner and mayor in a man named Bill Grear.

He was a fellow of small stature, but that didn't translate to his heft at the dais for a dozen years. "You couldn't water him down, you couldn't beat him, you couldn't outlast him," said former city commissioner Tom Altman, who served with Grear.

After a long life of working with children, keeping coiffures in sharp shape and bettering Belle Glade, William A. Grear died Tuesday in his home at the age of 82, his wife and son at his side.

Being elected to the city commission in 1969 was no mean feat. Mr. Grear, a barber and director of child development center Wee Care Inc., had tried before. So had other blacks. His gentlemanly demeanor and knack for tying together the community helped him win. Grear served on the commission until 1977, and again from 1981 to 1983. Mayor from 1975 to 1976, he played a big part in improving the city's streets, water system and housing. "Whatever was best for the city, that was the line he took," former mayor and city commissioner Steve Weeks said.

Mr. Grear was born in Kentucky and lived in Ohio and Atlanta before marrying his childhood classmate, Effie Carter, a teacher who went on to become principal of Glades Central High School. The two had a daughter, Rhonda Kay Grear, and a son, William A. Grear Jr.

Mr. Grear's public viewing is 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Taylor, Smith, West Funeral Home, 900 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Belle Glade. Final public viewing will be 10:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, prior to the funeral services at St. John First Baptist Church, 600 SW 8th St., Belle Glade.