Memorial Services Scheduled Saturday For Longtime City Manager

CLEARWATER, FL — The city of Clearwater announced that longtime City Manager William B. (Bill) Horne II who died unexpectedly Saturday afternoon of a heart attack.

Horne, 72, served as city manager for more than two decades and was looking forward to his retirement on Sept. 3.

A retired U.S. Air Force colonel, he began his career with the city in 1998 as general support services administrator. The next year, he became assistant city manager. In July 2000, he was named interim city manager and then became city manager the following year.

"Yesterday we lost a patriot, mentor, leader, public servant, veteran and role model. I lost my friend," said Mayor Frank Hibbard. "Our community was richer for having Bill Horne and today we are poorer for having lost him. His impact in Clearwater and beyond will live on tangibly and in our hearts. Rest in peace, my friend."

Hibbard said their thoughts are with Horne's wife, Loretta, and other members of his family.

As city manager, Horne was one of two city staff members who reported directly to the city council. He was responsible for 1,685 city employees and accountable for the city's annual operating and capital budget of $385 million.

Horne earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from the University of Tulsa, a master's degree in human resources management from Pepperdine University and a master's degree in political science from Auburn University.

In September 2005, Horne was designated a credentialed manager by the International City County Manager Association.

A longtime member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Clearwater, Horne served as a member of the Florida-Bahamas Synod Council for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and held various leadership positions with the ELCA during the past two decades.

He also served as a board member on the nonprofit Pinellas Community Foundation and with BayCare Health System.

In 2019, Suncoast Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration named him a Public Service Exemplar.

Among his accomplishments was the development of a program in April 2005 to encourage more citizen involvement, overseeing efforts to create Imagine Clearwater and other city programs intended to revitalize Clearwater's downtown business district, attracting new industry to the area to expand the city's nonresidential tax base and establishing programs to promote neighborhood identity.

Following the announcement of his death, condolences poured in from residents throughout Sunday.

"We have lost a good man with a font of knowledge and historical perspective," Lisa Angela Lanza said.

"My heart is broken," Whitney Gray said. "Bill was not just an amazing leader who provided stability and integrity, he was a friend."

"During his assistant city manager assignment, I served as his executive assistant," Paulinha Chapl said. "He had so many visions for Clearwater, of which he succeeded greatly. Thanks for your service to our country as well as our city. You will be missed."

"Bill was a phenomenal man to work with," Watson Haynes said. "I enjoyed our discussions and his counsel. I admired his courage under pressure."

"He was wonderful to work with, and an advocate for all cities in Pinellas," Bill Foster said. "A true professional and gentleman. He will be missed."

"He was a wonderful man," Vicki Chiarelli Glover said. "My fondest memory of him was when I asked him to play Santa to a preschool ... in downtown Clearwater. He graciously accepted. He has done so much for our community."

Assistant City Manager Michael Delk will serve as acting city manager until the city council can take action on Monday. Anticipating Horne's retirement, the city launched a nationwide search for a new city manager.

In May, after launching a nationwide search for Horne's replacement, the city narrowed the pool of 91 applicants to 10 finalists, and then chose five on May 24.

However, before the city council could make its decision, three of the finalists withdrew, leaving Fort Smith, Arkansas, City Administrator Carl Geffken and Thornton, Colorado City Manager Kevin Woods.

The city council decided to host a second 30-day search with Geffkin and Woods remaining as finalists.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Calvary Church, 110 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater.

Members of the public who wish to attend are reminded that parking and attendance may be limited. Additionally, masks will be required inside the church. Doors will open at 10 a.m.

The service can also be watched online.

Horne will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia at a future date.

Flowers can be sent to Calvary church on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning.

Cards for the family can be sent to Clearwater City Offices, 600 Cleveland St., Suite 600, Clearwater, FL 33756.