CREATE TABLE table_203_93 (id NUMBER, "incumbent" CLOB, "reason for vacancy" CLOB, "appointed successor" CLOB, "date of appointment" CLOB, "elected successor" CLOB, "date of election" CLOB)

who was appointed before h.w. whillock ?
SELECT "incumbent" FROM table_203_93 WHERE "date of appointment" < (SELECT "date of appointment" FROM table_203_93 WHERE "incumbent" = 'h. w. whillock') ORDER BY "date of appointment" DESC LIMIT 1
SELECT "incumbent" FROM "table_203_93" WHERE "date of appointment" < (SELECT "date of appointment" FROM "table_203_93" WHERE "incumbent" = 'h. w. whillock') ORDER BY "date of appointment" DESC FETCH FIRST 1 ROWS ONLY