Diamond Bar Man Earns GED at 82

Call it a once-deferred dream come true.  

For Diamond Bar resident Billy Lee, that is what earning his GED at Rowland Adult and Community Education is.  

While Lee won’t be the only one honored tonight at a ceremony for GED and high school diploma recipients, the 82-year-old will be the oldest.  

Growing up in Japanese-occupied Indonesia, Lee only got to complete a couple of years of schooling before he had to go to work on his family’s farm.  

“I had to help my family earn a living,” he said.  

So Lee worked.  He grew up, got married, and had two sons and a daughter. 

His children came to Canada and America. He and his wife, who died four years ago, came to join them in 1990.  

“The Fourth of July was my first time in America,” Lee said.  

Lee said he had a friend who wanted to pursue his GED and asked him to help find where he could take the classes.  

While visiting Rowland Adult School with his friend, Lee asked if he could also attend.  

He started the program in September.  

“I didn’t have any background at all,” Lee said of school.  “I had learned English so I could do that, but math and social studies were very difficult.”  

Lee spoke very little English when he came to America, but he taught himself. He also speaks Chinese fluently, as well as his native Indonesian.  He plans to tackle Spanish next.  

Rowland Education Center Counselor Joe Miraglia said Lee came to school nightly Monday through Thursday to study for his GED.  

 “He was very positive, very upbeat,” Miraglia said.  “He always had a smile on his face.”  

A couple of months ago, Lee passed the GED and then he came to Miraglia with another request.  He wanted to take the California High School Exit Exam, a test reserved for high school diploma candidates, not those studying for the GED.  

Lee studied, took it, and passed the exam.  

“I asked him ‘Why are you doing this Mr. Lee,’” Miraglia said.  “He said ‘I have children and I have grandchildren and I want to show them that education is very important, especially my grandchildren.’”  

Lee’s granddaughter, Audris Fan, said her grandfather kept it a secret that was he was studying for his GED until he had a couple of practice tests completed.   The 21-year-old, who is graduating from U.C. San Diego this month, said she too wondered why but knows her grandfather has always loved learning.  

“It’s his life story that has him thirsty for knowledge,” Fan said.  “That generation prioritized education.” 

Fan added that her grandfather has another quality that has made him successful in pursuing his GED – his stubbornness.  

“He’s very much (about) perseverance,” she said.  “He’s very headstrong and dedicated.”  

Lee said he is not done with learning just yet.  

He plans to take some classes at Mt. San Antonio College next.  

Lee said pursuing his education is part of his overall mission to stay healthy and have balance in his life.  

“During my childhood, I didn’t have such opportunities for learning,” he said.  “There is no end for learning.”