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

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 NULLS LAST LIMIT 1