Bill Archer

William Reynolds Archer Jr. (March 22, 1928 – July 4, 2026) was an American lawyer and politician. Archer served two terms, from 1967 to 1971, in the Texas House of Representatives – changing from the Democratic to the Republican party in December 1967 – and later represented Texas in the United States House of Representatives as a Republican for 30 years, from 1971 until 2001, serving for his last six years as chair of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Archer was born in Houston, Texas. After graduating from St. Thomas High School, Archer attended Rice University and then transferred to the University of Texas at Austin, where he obtained his BBA and law degrees (LLB). At the University of Texas, he was a member of the Texas Rho chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Upon graduating from law school in 1951, Archer was admitted to the State Bar of Texas and started up his practice in Houston, Texas. Within months, Archer was drafted and served as a captain in the United States Air Force after the onset of the Korean War. Returning from service in 1953, Archer became the president of Uncle Johnny Mills, Inc. and stayed there until 1963. Meanwhile, Archer started his career as a politician. He served as a councilman and mayor pro tempore for the city of Hunters Creek Village from 1955 to 1962.