Bill Phillips, born William Clarence Phillips on January 28, 1936, in Canton, North Carolina, was a prominent American country music singer known for his contributions to the genre from the late 1950s through the 1980s. Growing up in an area rich with country music influences, Phillips learned to play the guitar and began singing at a young age. He left high school to work as an upholsterer but soon pursued a career in music.

Phillips' professional career began in 1955 when he joined the Old Southern Jamboree on WMIL in Miami, Florida. By 1957, he had moved to Nashville, where he worked with country music legends Johnnie Wright and Kitty Wells until the late 1970s. A talented songwriter, Phillips gained recognition with the 1958 Top 10 country hit "Falling Back To You," performed by Webb Pierce.

Signed to Columbia Records in the late 1950s, Phillips achieved his first chart success with singles like "Sawmill" and "Georgia Town Blues," both collaborations with Mel Tillis. He later joined Decca Records in 1963, where he enjoyed further success. His most notable hit was "Put It Off Until Tomorrow," which reached No. 6 on the country charts in 1966 and featured uncredited harmony vocals by a young Dolly Parton, who co-wrote the song.

Throughout his career, Phillips released several albums, including "Put It Off Until Tomorrow" (1966) and "Bill Phillips Style" (1967), and he charted multiple singles, including "The Company You Keep" and "Little Boy Sad." In addition to his solo work, he was part of the Kitty Wells - Johnny Wright Show during the 1970s.

Phillips continued to record into the 1980s, although his chart success waned. In 1995, he suffered a stroke, prompting a charity show by his country music peers to support him. Bill Phillips passed away on August 23, 2010, at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy as a significant figure in traditional country music and the Nashville sound.