Lillian Offitt (November 4, 1938 – February 27, 2020) was an American blues and R&B singer.
She was born Lillian Etta Offitt in Gallatin, Tennessee. Whist attending Tennessee State Universityshe visited the offices of Nashboro Records in the hope of making a gospel record. Owner Ernie Young suggested she record secular music instead, and her first record, "Miss You So", was issued on its subsidiary Excello label in 1957. It started out as a good seller rising to #8 on the Billboard R&B chart. In June Offitt went to Chicago and made some personal appearances in support of her record which shows up as a top seller in that city.
In August in Gary, Indiana, a big show honoring Vivian Carter on her eighth anniversary at radio station WWCA included Lillian Offitt performing live. Also on the bill were Magic Sam, The Spaniels, Dale Hawkins, The Dells, and many others. During Labor Day week in Chicago, Lillian appeared with Al Benson at the Regal Theater along with Red Prysock, Sil Austin, Amos Milburn, Ivory Joe Hunter, and The Spaniels. In September Lillian signed on for a five week tour through the south and southwest along with Lowell Fulson, Johnny "Guitar" Watson, and Ernie Freeman. The tour would kick off in Oklahoma City.
Al Benson
Late in the year Lillian Offitt moved to Chicago where she had a steady number of club dates and soon recorded her second side for Excello Records. “Just Lonesome! That's All” b/w “Darling I'll Forgive You”. Through the early months of 1958 Offitt tried to repeat the success of “Miss You So” and in the spring Excello released “Darling Please Don't Change” b/w “Can't Go On” . This record too failed to break into the top sellers and failed to get considerable airplay and soon Excello dropped her from the label’s roster.
Earl Hooker
In 1959 she began an extended stay as vocalist with Earl Hooker and his combo. Through Hooker, she met Mel London, owner of Chief Records. She was signed to record for the local Chief Records label in Chicago. “The Man Won't Work” b/w “Will My Man Be Home Tonight”. Lillian Offitt continued to perform and record with Earl Hooker into the sixties “Oh Mama” b/w “My Man Is A Lover” was issued by Chief Records. In late 1960 her last effort for Chief was “Troubles” b/w “Shine On”.
She appeared at such Chicago clubs as Roberts Show Lounge and the Shangri-La. She left music to start a family, preventing her from joining the 1964 American Folk Blues Festival tour, her place taken by Sugar Pie DeSanto. She was last sighted in 1974 as part of the Streakers Rated-X Revue in St. Joseph, Michigan.
Offitt (now known as Lillian Williams) continued to live in Racine, Wisconsin, working outside the music business and raising her family. She died on February 27, 2020, aged 81.
(Edited from Wikipedia, All Music & Doo Wop Heaven)