William A. Blakley

William A. Blakley
Blakley in 1961
United States Senator
from Texas
In office
January 3, 1961  June 14, 1961
Appointed byPrice Daniel
Preceded byLyndon B. Johnson
Succeeded byJohn Tower
In office
January 15, 1957  April 28, 1957
Appointed byAllan Shivers
Preceded byPrice Daniel
Succeeded byRalph Yarborough
Personal details
Born
William Arvis Blakley

November 17, 1898
Miami Station, Missouri, U.S.
DiedJanuary 5, 1976(1976-01-05) (aged 77)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Battles/warsWorld War I

William Arvis "Dollar Bill" Blakley (November 17, 1898 – January 5, 1976) was an American politician and businessman from the state of Texas. Blakley was part of the conservative wing of the Texas Democratic Party. He served twice as an interim United States Senator, appointed by the Governor to fill a vacancy until his successor could be duly elected. He served first in 1957 after the resignation of Price Daniel and again in 1961 after the resignation of Lyndon B. Johnson.

Blakley ran two unsuccessful campaigns for election to the Senate in his own right. He lost the regularly scheduled 1958 primary election to incumbent liberal Democrat Ralph Yarborough. He lost as the incumbent in the 1961 election to complete Johnson's term to John Tower, the first Republican ever popularly elected from Texas.