Bill Withers

Birth Name: William Harrison Withers, Jr.

Date of Birth: July 4, 1938

Place of Birth: Slab Fork, West Virginia, U.S.

Date of Death: March 30, 2020

👉 For more insights, check out this resource.

Place of Death: Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: African-American, possibly some English

👉 Discover more in this in-depth guide.

Bill Withers was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. His singles include “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Grandma’s Hands,” “Use Me,” “Lean on Me,” “Lovely Day,” and “Just the Two of Us.”

Bill was born in Slab Fork, West Virginia, a small coal mining town. He was the son of Mattie Rose/Rosiemay (Galloway) and William Harrison “Willie” Withers, Sr. He was married to manager Marcia Johnson, until his death, with whom he had two children.

Bill’s biological paternal grandfather was named Sam Lee. Sam likely was white.

Bill’s paternal grandmother was named Virginia Withers (the daughter of Ellen Withers).

Bill’s maternal grandfather was John Henderson Galloway (the son of William Galloway and Rhoda Ann McCay).

Bill’s maternal grandmother was named Lula Carter (the daughter of Jim Carter and Tissue). Lula was born in Virginia.

Sources: Genealogy of Bill Withers –

Genealogy of Bill Withers (focusing on his mother’s side) –