The Archer City native and World War II Army veteran practiced law in Wichita Falls until his appointment as a state district judge in Wichita County in 1955. He resigned to wage a successful 1961 special election run for a U.S. House seat and was re-elected five times, serving until 1973.
Purcell then practiced law in Washington, D.C., for 15 more years before retiring to Wichita Falls in 1988.
Funeral is scheduled for Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church in Wichita Falls, with burial in Archer City Cemetery.
