William Wilkison was born in Maryland in about 1645 and arrived in North Carolina during the 1670s. He served as a member of the North Carolina Council from 1684 to 1687 and again from 1689 to 1695. He later served on the North Carolina General Court from 1699 to 1701. Wilkison's political career was fraught with disputes between him and other leaders of the colony. He likely had a hand in Governor Seth Sothel's removal in 1689 and Wilkinson in turn was removed from office in 1695. He died in Chowan Precinct in about Feburary 1706.