Billy Williams (singer)

Wilfred Williams (December 28, 1910 – October 12, 1972) was an American singer. He had a successful cover recording of Fats Waller's "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter" in 1957. The record sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.[2] His trademark hook for his songs was to shout "Oh, Yeah" at the end of lyrics.

Billy Williams
Born
Wilfred Williams

December 28, 1910
Waco, Texas
DiedOctober 12, 1972(1972-10-12) (aged 61)
Chicago, Illinois
Resting placeBurr Oak Cemetery[1]

Early years

A Methodist minister's son, Williams was born in Waco, Texas. His early youth was spent in Texas, before the family moved to Ohio. Growing up, he sang in choirs at churches where his father was the pastor, with his mother often serving as choir director. He was often a soloist, and he also learned to help her arrange music.[3]

Military service

Williams served in the Army during World War II; he received a medical discharge in 1944.[4]

Career

While he was a student at Wilberforce University,[3] Williams became the lead singer of the Charioteers;[5] he went on to sing with the group from 1930 to 1950, when he formed his own Billy Williams Quartet with Eugene Dixon, Claude Riddick and John Ball. Many television appearances followed, including appearances on Your Show of Shows with Sid Caesar.[6]

On April 5, 1959, the Billy Williams Quartet appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and performed a rousing version of "Goodnight Irene".

Williams also headed the Billy Williams Revue, "a complete show package of dancers, singers, musicians and comedians." The troupe performed in Canada, in the Caribbean, and across the United States.[7]

Later years

By the early 1960s Williams struggled to retain his voice due to complications of diabetes. He subsequently moved to Chicago and sang on WGN-TV's "All Time Hits" TV show (for which videotape exists). In the years before his death, Williams worked in New York City with a program to help homeless men.[8]

Personal life

Williams was married to the former Lois Traverse,[3] and they had two children, Sharon and Leslie. In 1957, Mrs. Williams had charges of desertion and non-support against him dismissed after the two reached a financial support agreement. The case was heard in Bergen County, New Jersey.[9]

Death

On October 12, 1972, Williams died in Chicago, Illinois, after having a heart attack. He was 61 years old.[10]

Discography

Charted singles
Year Single US Pop
[11][12][13]
1951 "(Why Did I Tell You I Was Going To) Shanghai" 20
"(It's No) Sin" 28
1953 "Pour Me a Glass of Teardrops" 30
1954 "Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream)" 21
1956 "A Crazy Little Palace (That's My Home)" 49
1957 "The Pied Piper" 50
"I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" 3
"Date with the Blues" —
"Got a Date with an Angel" 78
1958 "Baby, Baby" 78
"I'll Get By (As Long as I Have You)" 87
1959 "Nola" 39
"Goodnight, Irene" 75
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

References
  1. Acacia Lawn, lot 32A, grave 5, Burr Oak Cemetery, Alsip (sw Chicago), IL., Wilson, Scott. Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Locations 50996-50997). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition.
  2. Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 97. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  3. "Billy Williams Started Career In M.E. Church". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Missouri, St. Louis. 18 November 1951. p. 4 C. Retrieved January 2, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Five-Way Pickup". Billboard. July 1, 1944. p. 8. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  5. "Famed Charioteers To Hit Onyx Friday". The Pittsburgh Courier. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. 14 February 1948. p. 15. Retrieved January 2, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Whitburn, Joel (1992). The Billboard Book of USA Top 40 Hits (5th ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Publishing Limited. p. 494. ISBN 0-85112-528-X.
  7. "Song Lyric Tells Story Of Singer". The Pittsburgh Courier. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. 8 April 1967. p. 13. Retrieved January 2, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Singer Wilfred (Billy) Williams, 74". The Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. 28 July 1984. p. 57. Retrieved January 2, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Charges Dropped, Singer Release". The Courier-News. New Jersey, Bridgewater. Associated Press. 11 May 1957. p. 7. Retrieved January 2, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Billy Williams, 62, Blues Singer, Dies". Nytimes.com. October 18, 1972. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  11. Whitburn, Joel (1986). Pop Memories: 1890-1954. Record Research.
  12. Whitburn, Joel (1994). Pop Hits: 1940-1954. Record Research.
  13. Whitburn, Joel (2007). Top Pop Singles: 1955-2006. Record Research.


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