by Jerry Connors, for the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission

Harrisburg, PA — William Sleeger, Sr., 67, of Dover, Pa., well-known by horsemen who raced at the York (PA) fair, died recently.

Mr. Sleeger’s career was in law enforcement: 27 years with the York City Police Department, and 13 years with the York County Sheriffs’ Department. He was also a Navy veteran.

Mr. Sleeger worked for 45 years at the York Fair, winding up as Director of Security for the grandstand and for off-season concerts. He devoted a good deal of his time during the sprawling York Fair to policing the racing activity, making life easier for the horses and horsemen: controlling infield parking and clearing all auto traffic that might interfere with or spook a horse; maintaining that horses had “the right of way” from the barns to the racetrack; and even picking up and infielding potentially dangerous stones from the racetrack surface.

Included among Mr. Sleeger’s survivors were his wife, Eva; and mother, Esther (Raver). Interment was in Mount Rose Cemetery, York.