William Marvin Dees, known as Bill Dees, was born on January 24, 1939, in Borger, Texas. He was an influential American singer-songwriter, particularly renowned for his collaborations with Roy Orbison. Dees began his musical journey by playing the ukulele at a young age and later performed with a band called The Five Bops, which evolved into The Whirlwinds. His early recordings were made at Norman Petty's studio in Clovis, New Mexico.

Dees's career took a significant turn when he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he reconnected with Roy Orbison. This partnership led to the creation of numerous hits, most notably "Oh, Pretty Woman" and "It's Over," both of which achieved significant commercial success. "Oh, Pretty Woman" became a global sensation, topping charts in 22 countries. Dees co-wrote nearly 70 songs with Orbison and toured extensively, including appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show and performances alongside The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

Beyond his work with Orbison, Dees wrote songs for a variety of artists, including Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, and Glen Campbell. In 1967, he co-wrote all the songs for the Orbison album and MGM film "The Fastest Guitar Alive." Dees continued to write and perform music throughout his life, releasing his own album, "Saturday Night at the Movies," in 2000.

Dees lived in various locations, including Ozark, Arkansas, and New Boston, Texas, before settling near Branson, Missouri. He continued to write songs with collaborator Jack Pribek until his death. Bill Dees passed away on October 24, 2012, in Mountain Home, Arkansas, at the age of 73. His legacy as a songwriter endures, particularly through his iconic collaborations with Roy Orbison.