William Reynolds Archer Jr.

William Reynolds Archer, Jr., devoted public servant, attorney, businessman, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed peacefully from this life on July 4, 2026, at his beloved farm in Stanley, Virginia. He was 98 years old.

Born on March 22, 1928, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Houston, Texas, Bill was the son of William Reynolds ("Billy") Archer Sr. and Eleanor Miller Archer. Shaped by the educational devotion of his Texas-German roots and the resilient faith of his South Louisiana ancestry, Bill, raised in a family that valued personal responsibility, individual initiative, self-reliance, thrift, and a steadfast faith in God, developed the character that would guide him throughout his life. From an early age, he exhibited the intellectual curiosity, competitive spirit, and unwavering sense of duty that became hallmarks of his remarkable career and enduring legacy.

Bill graduated with honors from St. Thomas High School before attending Rice University and later transferring to The University of Texas at Austin. At UT Austin, he was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, played varsity tennis, was named the University's Outstanding Intramural Athlete in 1951, earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in 1949, and graduated with honors from the School of Law in 1951.

Following law school, he was commissioned as a Captain in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and later continued his service in the Air Force Reserve.

Returning to Houston, Bill established himself as both a businessman and attorney. He served as President of Uncle Johnny Mills, Inc., was a director of Heights State Bank, and later became a founding partner of the law firm Harris, Archer, Parks & Graul.

His commitment to public service began as a councilman and Mayor Pro Tem of Hunters Creek Village. In 1966, he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. During his first term, he joined the Republican Party, becoming only the second Republican in the 150-member Texas House. After winning reelection in 1968, he successfully sought election to the United States House of Representatives in 1970 to represent Texas's Seventh Congressional District, succeeding George H. W. Bush.

Congressman Archer would go on to represent the people of Houston for thirty years, winning reelection fourteen times before retiring in 2001. Throughout his career, he earned a reputation for integrity, civility, and principled leadership.

After serving on the House Banking Committee, he joined the House Committee on Ways and Means, where he became Ranking Republican in 1988. Following the historic Republican majority in 1994, he was selected Chairman of the Committee, serving three terms at the helm of one of Congress's most influential committees.

As Chairman, Bill helped shape some of the most significant tax and fiscal legislation of his generation. His leadership led to the passage of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, Taxpayer Bill of Rights legislation, welfare reform, Medical Savings Accounts, expanded Individual Retirement Accounts, the child tax credit, estate tax relief, and numerous international trade initiatives. Throughout his career, he remained a steadfast advocate for lower taxes, free trade, economic growth, and a simpler, fairer tax code, always seeking to balance opportunity with fiscal responsibility.

Equally important to him was restoring public confidence in government. He believed elected officials should lead by personal example. Upon entering Congress, he ended all outside business interests, refused Political Action Committee (PAC) contributions, never held a Washington fundraiser, and voluntarily released financial disclosures that exceeded legal requirements. He also championed campaign finance reform, believing public service should remain accountable to the citizens it represents.

Most important to Bill was the opportunity public office gave him to help others. Among the many quiet acts of service throughout his career, he assisted freedom fighters from former Soviet bloc nations in finding refuge and ultimately becoming citizens of the United States—work that reflected both his compassion and his deep belief in liberty.

One of Bill's proudest legacies began during his first year in Congress when he established a congressional internship program for high school students from his district. Over three decades, nearly 3,000 young people participated, many inspired to pursue careers in public service. That vision ultimately led to the creation of The Archer Center, within The University of Texas System. Since its founding, the Center‘s nationally recognized Archer Fellowship Program has prepared thousands of students from all thirteen UT campuses for leadership through study and public service opportunities in Washington, D.C.

Following his retirement from Congress, Bill served as Senior Policy Advisor to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 2001 until 2015. He also served on the boards of the Tax Foundation and the American Council for Capital Formation and was founder and chairman of the International Conservation Caucus Foundation. In Houston, he remained deeply committed to serving those in need through his work with The Open Door Mission.

Though his public accomplishments were remarkable, those who knew Bill best will remember his unwavering devotion to family, his humility, his integrity, his love of country, and his conviction that public office was a sacred trust.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years, Sharon Sawyer Archer; his children and stepchildren, Dr. William Reynolds Archer III (Robbie), Richard Moore Archer (Carol), Sharon Leigh Funk (Fred), Elizabeth Ann Parker (Wayne), Barbara Elise Archer, Scott Patrick Sawyer (Beth), and Dr. Shannon Michael Sawyer (Dr. Summer); nineteen grandchildren; and twenty great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Reynolds Archer Sr. and Eleanor Miller Archer; his sister, Barbara Archer Bryant; infant son, Stephen Moore Archer; and his former wife, Patricia Moore.

Bill's life was one of extraordinary service - to his family, to Texas, to the nation, and to generations of young leaders who continue to carry forward his example. A lifelong Catholic devoted to his faith, he believed deeply in the promise of America and dedicated his life to strengthening the institutions that preserve freedom, opportunity, and individual responsibility. His legacy will endure in the lives he touched, the public servants he inspired, and the country he faithfully served.

There will be a Celebration of Life at 5 p.m., September 15th in the Ways and Means Committee Hearing Room, 1100 Longworth Building, Washington, DC. His Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on September 16th at St. John the Beloved Catholic Church, 6420 Linway Terrace, McLean, Virginia.

Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined. A cenotaph is also planned in the Texas State Cemetery, Austin, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Archer Center (www.archercenter.org) to support the continued education of future public servants.