William "Bill" Swain Cleveland

A pioneering statistician, Bill helped reshape how scientists analyze and visualize data, and was among the first to articulate the intellectual foundations of what is now called data science. Over a career spanning academia and Bell Laboratories, he championed the idea that statistics should center on learning from real data rather than on mathematical theory alone. His work on graphical methods transformed data visualization into a rigorous scientific discipline, and his books, The Elements of Graphing Data and Visualizing Data, became foundational texts for generations of researchers.

At Bell Labs, Bill worked alongside John Tukey and John Chambers. He contributed to a culture focused on hands-on data analysis and innovation in computing. In 2001, he outlined a vision for expanding statistics into “data science.” This vision integrated computation, subject-matter knowledge, and analytic thinking and has since become central to modern scientific practice.

Bill was a deeply respected scholar, colleague, and mentor, and his contributions to the field and to the institutions he served will be long remembered. His impact extended far beyond his research accomplishments. His insight, vision, and generosity influenced many, and his legacy will endure in the people and ideas he inspired.

Born on January 24, 1943, in Sussex, New Jersey, Bill was the son of a music teacher who later became a mathematics instructor, a dual influence that shaped his lifelong interests in both music and mathematics. He studied mathematics at Princeton University and earned his doctorate in statistics from Yale University in 1969. In addition to his scientific work, he was an accomplished musician and singer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray Cleveland and Louise Cleveland (née Rampone); his sister, Ruth; his daughter, Liz; and his granddaughter, Hannah. He is survived by his wife, Wen-wen Tung; his sister, Marti; and his four sons, Robert, Scott, Spencer, and Reid, along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at Drake & Son Funeral Home, 5303 North Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, US, on April 4, 2026, at 1:00 PM Central Time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Chicago Old Town School of Folk Music: https://www.oldtownschool.org/support/donate/.