William D. Mullins | |
|---|---|
 Mullins in 1983 | |
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives | |
| In office January 5, 1977 – March 2, 1986 | |
| Preceded by | Steve T. Chmura |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Petrolati |
| Constituency |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | William David Mullins August 13, 1931 Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | March 2, 1986 (aged 54) Ludlow, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Resting place | Island Pond Cemetery, Ludlow |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Kathleen Mullins (m. 1954) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1954–1956 |
William David Mullins (August 13, 1931 – March 2, 1986) was an American politician, educator, and professional baseball player who served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1977 until his death in 1986. A member of the Democratic Party, Mullins represented Ludlow and parts of Chicopee in the legislature.
After graduating from Providence College in 1953, Mullins signed with the Washington Senators as a pitcher, playing in their minor league farm system. However, due to poor performances and a series of injuries, Mullins had retired from professional baseball by 1957. After moving to the town of Ludlow the following year, Mullins became a teacher at the local high school, and he and his wife established a school for aphasiacs. Mullins was elected to the Ludlow board of selectmen in 1968, serving until his election to the state house in 1976.
Mullins was a very conservative Democrat, holding strong positions against abortion and gay rights. Despite his credentials as a "hard-nosed fiscal conservative", Mullins used his position in the legislature to advocate for local aid to many of the small cities and towns outside the Boston area. In 1985, Mullins was appointed vice chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, a powerful position which allowed him to control all spending legislation in the House. By the end of his tenure, Mullins was described as being "one of Western Massachusetts's most powerful legislators".
The William D. Mullins Memorial Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst opened in 1993, and was dedicated to Mullins for his support of the UMass athletics program in the legislature.