Blues singer; started professional career during World War II.
His birthday has often been given as 8 August 1923, but according to
his son, it was 18 August 1921.
Survived by his wife Diana, his sister, Jimmie Lois Witherspoon, his brother Leonard, three children, Angela Witherspoon-Ballard, Regina Witherspoon-Welch, and James Witherspoon, Jr, and four grandchildren.