William Althaus

William J. Althaus is an American former politician who served as mayor of York, Pennsylvania, for 12 years between 1982 and 1994. During this time, he was also selected to be the 50th president of the United States Conference of Mayors for its 1992 to 1993 session. Althaus is a Republican.

Educated at Johns Hopkins University, Althaus majored in political science and history. During his tenure as mayor, Althaus celebrated the 125th anniversary of the occupation of York by the Confederate States of America joking to the Confederate reenactor it wouldn't be as easy this time around due to the York police department which hadn't existed at the time of the occupation. He co-moderated the 86th annual convention of the Pennsylvania League of Cities in 1985. Althaus was also an advocate for smokers rights, seeking to ensure national federal protection for the freedom of individuals to smoke in public. He led a successful effort to have sexual orientation added to a city ordinance protecting against discrimination of public accommodations. When he was chosen as president, besides fostering a working relationship with the Clinton administration, the main goal of his 1992 to 1993 term would be to increase federal funding to cities.

Post-mayoral career

As a former mayor and the last Republican mayor, Althaus has remained an influential member of the local community. He has worked with several other more recent mayors to help with issues such as race relations.

In a 2024 interview with the York Daily Record, Althaus said that after being mayor, he had a 20-year career with the United States Agency for International Development.