Bill Withers dead: How did Bill Withers die?

BILL WITHERS died at the age of 81 on March 30, 2020, but how did the singer and songwriter die?

Award-winning American singer and songwriter Bill Withers died last month on March 30, 2020. The singer was known for this hits Lean On Me and Ain’t No Sunshine. His family confirmed the news of this death on April 3.

How did Bill Withers die?

The family of singer Bill Withers confirmed the star had died.

He died on March 30 in Los Angeles.

A statement from the family read: "We are devastated by the loss of our beloved, devoted husband and father.



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Bill Withers has died at the age of 81

Bill Withers has died at the age of 81 (Image: GETTY)

Bill Withers is best known for his song Ain't No Sunshine

Bill Withers is best known for his song Ain't No Sunshine (Image: GETTY)

Bill Withers is a three-time Grammy winner

Bill Withers is a three-time Grammy winner (Image: GETTY)


The Guardian reported he died of heart complications at the time.

However, Withers is said to have died of cardiopulmonary arrest caused by arrhythmia and COPD according to his death certificate, reported TMZ.

The certificate said he died on March 30 at 10:44 AM at Providence Tarzana Regional Medical Centre.

Bill Withers died in Los Angeles on Monday

Bill Withers died in Los Angeles on Monday (Image: GETTY)

Withers is survived by his Marcia Johnson and their two children

The triple Grammy-winning artist had been out of the limelight for a while after he stopped making music in the mid-80s.

His death comes at a time when people around the world were drawing hoping from his track Lean On Me during the coronavirus pandemic.

Withers was born William Harrison Withers Jr in 1938 and hailed from West Virginia.

Prior to embarking on a career in music, Withers served in the US navy for nine years.

After deciding to enter the music industry, Withers moved to LA where he would work during the day and record music at night time.

His music was influenced by his life growing up in the coal-mining town of Slab Fork.

The singer was inspired by the gospel music and hymns he grew up with in church.

Withers' music in turn went on to influence RnB and Hip Hop music.

Following his departure from the music industry, a 2009 documentary called Still Bill explored why he quit.

Still Bill received praise from the critics who hailed the film, which showed the retired musician living a contented life.

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Mike Hale of The New York Times wrote at the time: "Offstage Bill Withers, the eternal hero of karaoke baritones, exhibits the same gift for aphorism and general soulfulness that informed hit songs like Lean on Me and Ain't No Sunshine.

"This makes much of the biographical documentary Still Bill pleasant and even moving..."

Tributes have come in for the stars with Chance the Rapper posting on Twitter: "Aw man, Bill Withers was really the greatest.


"My heart really hurts for him, it reminds me of playing records with at my grandma’s house."

Mikel Jollett tweeted: "Ask any songwriter in the world and they will tell you Bill Withers was a genius whose life's work was a gift. Rest in peace. You are beloved."

While Chic singer Nile Rodgers posted: "#RIPBillWithers Class, class and more class."