William Royer

William Royer
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 11th district
In office April 3, 1979 – January 3, 1981
Preceded by	Leo Ryan
Succeeded by	Tom Lantos
Personal details
Born	William Howard Royer (1920-04-11)April 11, 1920 Jerome, Idaho
Died	Redwood City, California
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	Santa Clara University Oklahoma State University

William Howard Royer (April 11, 1920 – April 8, 2013) was an American politician and a member of the Republican Party. He served as a U.S. Representative from the 11th Congressional District of California from 1979 until 1981.

Born in Jerome, Idaho, Royer graduated from Sequoia High School in Redwood City, California. He earned his B.S. at Santa Clara University and did graduate work at what is now Oklahoma State University. He served in the United States Army Air Corps (1943–45) and worked as a realtor before entering politics. He served on the Redwood City Council from 1950 to 1966 (including service as mayor from 1956–60) and was elected to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors in 1972. He was reelected in 1976.

In 1979, Royer won a special election to succeed the late congressman Leo J. Ryan (D-San Mateo), winning with 57% of the vote. He finished out the remainder of Ryan's term but was defeated for reelection in 1980, losing 46.4% to 43.3% to Democratic challenger Tom Lantos. Royer ran against Lantos again in 1982, losing 57% to 40%.

Royer was married to his wife Shirley for 69 years and had two sons and grandchildren. Royer died on April 8, 2013 at the age of 92 (three days before his 93rd birthday) in his Redwood City home of natural causes. His nephew Jim Harnett also served as mayor of Redwood City.

External links

• William Royer at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Leo J. Ryan	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 11th congressional district 1979–1981	Succeeded by Tom Lantos