William J. Rea

Who was William J. Rea?

William J. Rea was a United States federal judge.

Born in Los Angeles, California, Rea received a B.A. from Loyola University, Los Angeles, California in 1942. He was in the United States Navy during World War II, from 1941 to 1946. He then received an LL.B. from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1949. He was in private practice in Los Angeles, California from 1950 to 1964. He was in private practice in Santa Ana, California from 1964 to 1968. He was a judge on the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, California from 1968 to 1984.

Rea was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Rea was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on May 24, 1984, to a seat vacated by Malcolm M. Lucas. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 15, 1984, and received his commission the same day. He assumed senior status on March 31, 1998. Rea served in that capacity until August 3, 2005, due to his death.

He died in Santa Monica, California.