Williams was born in West Branch, Michigan, but raised in a Christian home in Mount Hermon in Santa Cruz County, California, where her parents worked in ministry.

[3] In addition to singing in church, Williams began writing faith-based pop songs while living in Santa Cruz.

The songs "Charmed Life", "Speaking a Dead Language", and "Sunny Day", were featured on the TV show Grey's Anatomy.

The album was widely praised by critics[10] and went on to sell more than 650,000 copies in the U.S.[11] White and Williams won four Grammy Awards as the Civil Wars.

[6][better source needed][12][13] The duo was officially dissolved in August 2014[14][15] and in March 2015, Williams said her last conversation with White was after their Roundhouse show in London in November 2012.

[5][21] Williams made her acting debut in 2016 in an episode of Roadies[22] and her recording of The Chainsmokers' "Don't Let Me Down" was used for a State Farm commercial in 2017.