William John Wilkin was born at Wickham Brook, Suffolk, in 1901, the son of Robert Hugh Wilkin, a general practitioner, and his wife Fanny Louisa, née Walker. He was educated at Uppingham School, Clare College, and St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical School. After being house surgeon to Sir Charles Gordon-Watson at Bart's he was resident surgical officer to the Radium Institute. He went into general practice in Gloucester from 1931 to 1946 and was then appointed consulting surgeon to Gloucester Royal Infirmary where he stayed until he retired in 1968. He also held appointments at Stroud and Cirencester Hospitals. He married Margaret Annette Graham, a doctor's daughter, in 1933. They had one son and two daughters. He was a devoted surgeon and enjoyed country activities. His shooting parties on Boxing Day were very popular. He played rugger in his youth and was a captain of fives. He died on 5 July 1983 after a long illness survived by his wife, children and five grandchildren.