Bishop William Wilkins, Jr., attended the Straight Way Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc., pastored by the late District-Elder Hugh Williams, Sr. He attended Sunday School, was part of the youth for Christ Choir and remained faithful to that ministry and the Bronx Diocese (under the leadership of Bishop William G. Fields) as a child. At the young age 19, he accepted the call to preach. One of Bishop Wilkins greatest passions of service was serving his pastor the great late Bishop William Bonner.