by: JillKnight
William Wesley Wilkerson was born June 18, 1866 in Davidson County, TN. His parents were Benjamin Franklin Wilkerson and Mary Ann Elizabeth 'Betty' Sanders.
William grew up going to the Davidson county schools and attended Burritt College in Van Buren county, Spencer, Tennessee. He was engaged in the mercantile business in Wilkerson, Davidson county, Tennessee.
William Wesley Wilkerson married Emma D. Hill, daughter of Henry Burton and Sarah Heneritta (Ezell) Hill on February 22, 1890 in Davidson County, Tennessee.
They had two children, Glenna and Wesley, Jr.
In 1888, William and Emma moved to Nashville.
W W (William Wesley) Wilkerson was very civic minded. In 1891 he was elected as a member of the Democratic Executive Committee representing the 15th Ward.
About 1892, Wilkerson was defeated for Councilmam of the 15th Ward by John Camerson by three votes.
On May 9, 1896 William Wesley Wilkerson was etablished as a charter member of the Rosewood Camp, Woodmen of the World. He was elected secretary and treasurer when Rosewood Camp organized and was re-elected each year.
For several years, W W (William Wesley) was a delegate to the WOW state convention. Mr Wilkerson represented Tennessee in Sovereign Camp at Chattanooga in 1900, and in Rochester, New York in 1911. W W Wilkerson served as Head Banker for the states of Kentucky and Tennessee for four years.
In about 1898, W W Wilkerson joined the Junior Order of American Mechanics.
In 1900, W W Willerson was elected to the Nashville, Tennessee, Legislature for the years 1901 and 1902. In 1902 he was re-elected to serve in the Legislature for the years 1903 and 1904.
William Wesley Wilkerson in 1912 was appointed by Mayor Howse on the City Board of Education for six years. In 1930 he was re-appointed by Mayor Howse.
In 1912, W W Wilkerson was elected President of the Board of Education in Nashville, Tennessee.
From 1905 to 1917, William Wesley Wilkerson was a member of the Goodwill Council. In 1905, he was elected Treasurer; in 1907, elected trustee to the state convention; in 1909, elected state consillator; in 1914 elected a delegate to the national convention; and was a life member.
The community started the Joel A Battle, Knights of the Pythias organization. William filled all offices and was elected Chancellor Commander.
He was a member of the exchange club and served as president for a year.
In 1922, William (Billie) W Wilkerson joined the P.T.A. He was a member of the National Convention and represented Nashville, Tennessee in Atlantic City, New Jersey; St. Paul, Missouri; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Birmingham, Alabama; Philadephia, Pennsylvania; Denver, Colorado; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Detroit, Michigan and San Francisco, California.
In 1927, Mr. Wilkerson was elected a member of the Jury Commission and served for six years.
William Wesley Wilkerson was a Deacon and Elder of the Hillsboro Presbyterian Church.
William Wesley Wilkerson established an undertaking firm, W W Wilkerson and Co with his brother. He operated the business for 34 years.