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William Dillon

1877 – 1966

American musician

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About William Dillon

Lived 1877 – 1966 (aged 88). William Dillon was an American songwriter.

William Austin Dillon (November 6, 1877 – February 10, 1966) was an American songwriter and Vaudevillian. He is best known as the lyricist for the song "I Want A Girl (Just Like The Girl That Married Dear Old Dad)", written in collaboration with Harry Von Tilzer., which can be heard in Show Business (1944) and The Jolson Story (1946).

Dillon was born in Cortland, New York and performed in vaudeville with his brothers John and Harry, as well as with own act, billed as the "man of a thousand songs".

Dillon married in 1918 to Georgia Leola Head, daughter of George and Mary (Steen) Head.

Sheet music cover to 1907's Every Little Bit Added To What You've Got Makes Just a Little Bit More by William and brother Lawrence He quit the vaudeville stage around 1912 after injuries suffered in a car accident, but remained active in the entertainment world as a songwriter andtheater operator. Dillon eventually returned to performing for troops in World War II and made television appearances.

He died in Ithaca, New York on February 10, 1966.

Selected songs "Every Little Bit Added to What You've Got Makes Just a Little Bit More" (1907, written with his brother Lawrence) "I'd Rather Have a Girlie Than an Automobile" (1908) "Keep Your Foot on the Soft Pedal" (1909) "I Want A Girl (Just Like The Girl That Married Dear Old Dad)" (1911, with von Tilzer) "All Alone" (1911, with Tilzer) "That Girl of Mine" (1916, with Harry Tobias and Arthur Lange) "I'll Wed the Girl I Left Behind" (1916) "On the Old Back Seat of the Henry Ford" (1916, with Lawrence) "My Grandfather's Girl" (1916) "Take Me to My Alabam" (1916) "Keep Right on to the End of the Road" (1924, with Harry Lauder) "Me and My Uncle Sam" (1941)

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Important facts

Birth century
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Also known as
William Austin Dillon

People in William Dillon's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Dillon's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Dillon?

American musician (1877–1966)

When was William Dillon born?

William Dillon was born on 6 November 1877.

When did William Dillon die?

William Dillon died on 10 February 1966.

What was William Dillon's occupation?

William Dillon was a songwriter.

What nationality was William Dillon?

William Dillon was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Dillon

· Wikidata: Q8007844

· DBpedia: William Dillon

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Dillon. https://biography.guide/william-dillon/

MLA: "William Dillon." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-dillon/.

Chicago: "William Dillon." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-dillon/.

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