William (Bill) H. Archer, 97, died Friday, May 15, at Cumbernauld Village of natural causes.

Bill was born in Winfield on May 30, 1922, to William A. and Cecelia Kumbera Archer. He graduated from Winfield HS in 1940 and from Southwestern College in 1944. He joined the US Navy in 1944, serving with the Amphibious Corp in the Pacific. After the war, Bill returned to Winfield to work as a clinical chemist and lab supervisor for Snyder Research Foundation.

In 1949 he married Margaret Elliott Kretzer of Winfield. Bill was recalled during the Korean Conflict to serve in the Navy as an aviation physiologist, and he continued to serve in the Naval Reserve until retiring as LCDR in 1982. He worked for the Snyder Research Foundation for 30 years until retiring in 1984. After Margaret died in 1994, Bill married CoNette Nofzinger Kasten who introduced him to travel and an additional family.

Bill loved his hometown. The story goes that he wanted to be an astronaut, but he wouldn't leave Winfield. Over the years, Bill served on the Winfield city commission, the USD #465 BOE, and the public library board. He was a member of American Legion Post 10 and the VFW. Bill enjoyed tinkering in his wood shop where he turned out many projects for family and friends. He had his own brand of humor that sometimes left us scratching our heads. He had a quiet presence but often added a zinger to the conversation.

Bill was predeceased by first wife Margaret and sister Katherine Archer Leonhart.

He is survived by his wife, CoNette, Winfield; brother Stephen Archer, Columbia, MO; son John Kretzer (Carolyn), Wichita; stepsons Keven Kasten (PeiYing), Taiwan and Rod Kasten (Leah), Wichita; stepdaughters Kim Kasten Garci-Glass (Arthur), Wichita; Ame Kasten Lemeiux (Richard), O'Fallon, IL; Valerie Kasten, Wichita; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will miss him.

Memorial contributions may be made to Winfield Public Library, 605 College St., Winfield, KS 67156.

Private military interment in Highland Cemetery to be held at a later date.