Lillian Mable Wilson was born on a family farm in Tatum Township of Ward County, North Dakota, USA, on 28 November 1909. Her parents were Adam Boyd Wilson (1871–1918) and Anna Lee Keyes (1877–1950), both born in Canada. She had two younger brothers, including Howard Forbes (1912–2007). After her father passed away during the 1918 flu pandemic, the family moved to Aneta, but returned to Minot in 1925 where Lillian enrolled as a sophomore at Minot High School.

After graduating from high school and summer school, and after obtaining her teaching certificate, she first taught in rural schools in North Dakota for five years. In 1936, she earned a degree in history and social science from Minot State University. In 1947, she enrolled in a library science program at Denver university, earning a master’s degree. She later worked as a librarian. She never married nor had children.

At the age of 92, she entered an assisted living facility after catching the flu.

Lillian Wilson passed away in Minot, North Dakota, USA on 4 November 2020.