Billy G. Mills, early Black Los Angeles City Council member, dies at 96

Billy G. Mills, who served on the Los Angeles City Council from 1963 to 1974, died June 27 at age 96. His son, James Edward Mills, confirmed the death and said Mills died peacefully at his home in Leimert Park after a period of declining health. Mills represented District 8 and was one of the first two Black men elected to the council, following the earlier appointment of Gilbert Lindsay.

He worked previously as a civil rights lawyer and later served as acting mayor and president pro tem on multiple occasions.

Early career and education Mills was born in Waco, Texas, attended Compton College, and transferred to UCLA, where he became the first Black graduate of the UCLA Law School. He met his wife at UCLA and they had five children. After leaving the council in 1974 due to term limits, Mills was appointed to the Los Angeles Superior Court. UCLA awarded him a Public Service Award in 2003.

Contributions and legacy During his council tenure, Mills helped lead city response after the 1965 Watts rebellion and supported infrastructure improvements such as streetlights and paved alleys in his district. A historian noted that Mills was vocal in support of civil rights and human rights.

James Edward Mills wrote that his father expected his children to tell the truth, keep their word, and finish what they started, and that integrity was something practiced when no one was watching. Mills is survived by five children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

The Dr. Rubye and Judge Billy G. Mills Scholarship at UCLA supports undergraduate students studying education or law.