Billy Mills ’51, J.D. ’54

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A community college transfer student from Compton College, Billy Mills graduated with honors from UCLA in 1951 and was the first black graduate from the UCLA Law School. As the first black elected in a regular general election to the Los Angeles City Council, Judge Mills led the city to renewed unity and cooperation after the tumultuous Watts Riots in 1965. He was so respected by his colleagues on the council that he was selected to serve as acting mayor and president protem of the council on numerous occasions. During his tenure, streetlights and paved alleys, which are now taken for granted, were first installed throughout South Los Angeles. He also championed the creation of the Council of Community Clubs, which formed the basis for most neighborhood respect and improvement organizations throughout the city, including Neighborhood Watch.

The bipartisan respect accorded Billy was evident when, after being selected to co-chair the Democratic National Convention in 1968, he was appointed by Governor Ronald Reagan in 1974 to a judgeship on the Los Angeles County Superior Court. He also periodically sat by special appointment on California Court of Appeals panels and authored numerous appellate decisions. He served for eight years with distinction as a faculty member of the Judge’s College at Boalt Hall in Berkeley.

Just as he was a role model for black politicians, he also became one of the most respected black judges in California, whom lawyers and judges continue to emulate.

While the UCLA Alumni Association honors Billy Mills with its 2003 Public Service Award, Billy’s personal highlight of 2003 is undoubtedly the 50th wedding anniversary to his wife, Rubye ’51, M.Ed.’74, Ed.D. ’81, whom he met at UCLA.

His contributions to UCLA include prior service on the UCLA Foundation Board of Directors and UCLA Chancellor’s Associates and as president of the UCLA Law School Alumni Association, Billy Mills is truly one of UCLA’s greatest treasures.