Atlanta local William (“Bill” or “Billy”) Harges Wilkins, Jr. celebrates his 60th Anniversary of membership in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He was born on February 1, 1938 to the late Willie Harges and Lizzie Mae Cade Wilkins. He was the second son of three children, brother James “Jimmie C.” and sister Helen, both deceased.
He and his family celebrated his “Queversary” and remembered his contribution to social action, community service and leadership within Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and within Atlanta. Along with his family, friends and fraternity brothers throughout the metro Atlanta area visited and celebrated the auspicious occasion. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity members from Alpha Sigma Chapter (Morris Brown College), Eta Omega Chapter (Atlanta, Georgia) and Phi Kappa Kappa Chapter (East Point, Georgia) were represented. Phi Kappa Kappa Chapter presented Wilkins with his service awards, and friend and Fayette County Commissioner Charles D. Rousseau (District 4) presented him with a proclamation from Fayette County, Georgia.
In 1956, Wilkins graduated with honors from Blackwell Memorial High School where he played football and basketball. He was also in the Diversified Cooperative Training Program where he along with his older brother were the first African-Americans to be trained as a bellhop, waiter, and elevator operator at the Samuel Elbert Hotel. For his 80th birthday, his family took him back to the newly refurbished hotel for a tour, private dinner, and surprise interview by the Elberton Star newspaper editor about his trailblazing efforts in the hotel’s history.
After graduation, Wilkins enlisted in the United States Air Force serving his country for 4 years and 3 months as a jet engine mechanic and crew chief in Texas, Georgia, and Newfoundland Canada. In 1960, he was honorably discharged from the Air Force and enrolled at Morris Brown College (MBC) in Atlanta, Georgia.
During the second semester of his freshman year, Wilkins became a member of the Lampados Pledge Club of Alpha Sigma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. at Morris Brown College. On December 9, 1961, Wilkins completed all requirements and was installed as a Brother of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Wilkins also became active in the Civil Rights Movement through student activism in the Atlanta University Center (AUC) which included Clark College, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and MBC. As a student, he participated in a number of organized sit-ins and non-violent protests. Many students were arrested as he protested Jim Crow laws, racial hate and discrimination.
In 1962, Wilkins was elected Basileus of Alpha Sigma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi and elected President of the MBC Student Council. Wilkins remembers well meeting with Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., Reverend Ralph David Abernathy and Reverend Joseph Lowery to help plan non-violent protests against discrimination and then-prevalent Jim Crow Laws. Wilkins sat in on the meetings in dual roles: as Basileus of Alpha Sigma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and as president of the Morris Brown College Student Council. They, along with the other HBCU student leaders of the Atlanta University Complex, planned the picketing of renown stores like Woolworth and Rich’s because of the stores’ unfair practices of discrimination and refusal to serve Blacks at that time.
Upon graduating from MBC in 1964, the director of placement services at MBC informed students of career opportunities at Southern Railway. He was hired as an electrician and attended electric motor diesel classes at Southern Technical College. After completing training, he was assigned to Pegrams Shop for three years.
On August 9, 1964, Wilkins married his college sweetheart, Pauline A. Zeigler from Homestead, Florida, and the two have been happily married for 57 years.
In 1966, Wilkins was informed by his career counselor that International Business Machines (IBM) was testing and interviewing for a System Engineer Trainee in Cape Kennedy, Florida. This was an exciting time for their family as he was the first African-American to integrate the Cape Kennedy office. He was also a “hidden figure” as he worked at the Cape to put the first man on the moon. After the training program of six months, Wilkins became a system engineer with additional roles prior to retirement. In 1972, as an instructor and developer of Education for Mid-Range Computers, he was transferred to the 1365 Peachtree Office in Atlanta, Georgia.
During his time at the Cape, there was a network of African-American professionals who immediately formed a bond. Through his network, he met and socialized with several Omega Brothers. The Brothers started to survey the landscape of the number of Brothers in the city and county to further organize. The group decided to apply to the Supreme Council of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. through the 7th District Representative, Brother J. T. Brooks, for a graduate chapter of the Fraternity. On March 15, 1967, Wilkins was one of twelve Brothers who chartered the Gamma Nu Brevard County Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. On November 9, 1968, Gamma Nu sponsored their first annual Que Ball at the Ramada Inn Gold Room with 175 couples in attendance. Gamma Nu Brevard County Chapter in Florida encompasses Cape Kennedy, Cocoa Beach, Cocoa, Melbourne, Satellite Beach and Titusville.
His six decades of leadership within Omega Psi Phi Fraternity include:
- Alpha Sigma Chapter, 1961-1964
- Basileus, 1962-1963
- Chapter Advisor, 1977
- Support and Leadership Award, October 1977
- Member of the Committee to erect the Omega plot on the campus of Morris Brown College
- Gamma Nu Brevard County Chapter, Charter Member, 1967-1972
- Received Outstanding Service and Dedication to Gamma Nu Award, July 2, 1971
- Eta Omega Chapter, 1973-1974 and 1980-2010
- Chair of Membership Committee
- Sigma Alpha Miami Chapter, 1974-1977
- Phi Kappa Kappa Chapter, 2015-Present
He is a Life Member of Omega Psi Phi and the National Alumni Association of Morris Brown College (MBC).
In 1985, Wilkins received his Master of Education in Adult Education Program Management from Georgia State University. While rounding out his career at IBM, he donated his time and talents to his alma mater, by teaching Computer Science classes within the Department of Computing and Information Sciences at MBC. He also conducted campus-wide curriculum seminars on leadership.
After 30 years, four home moves, and six offices, with increasing responsibility, Wilkins retired from IBM at age 58. Wilkins has been a servant leader in his many church memberships – as a Deacon, Stewart, and Elder. He and Pauline enjoy traveling, dancing, engaging in church and civic activities, participating in various hobbies, and spending time with family and friends.
Wilkins has a large family of Divine 9 sisters and brothers. His legacy, son William III, pledged Fall 1992 of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. through the Beta Zeta Chapter at the University of Georgia (UGA). His daughter, Winifred, was initiated in Spring 2017 of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. through the East Point / College Park Alumnae Chapter. His oldest granddaughter, Richelle, was initiated Spring 2021 of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. through the Iota Chi Chapter at the University of South Carolina. In addition to their two children, he and his wife have one daughter-in-love, Audrey Mendiola Wilkins; five grandchildren, Richelle Saline Thompson, Rachel Savannah Thompson, Inaya Mayleen Wilkins, William Harges Wilkins IV, and Airosa Julien Wilkins.
Wilkins has a large family of Divine 9 sisters and brothers. His legacy, son William III, pledged Fall 1992 of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. through the Beta Zeta Chapter at the University of Georgia (UGA). His daughter, Winifred, was initiated in Spring 2017 of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. through the East Point/College Park Alumnae Chapter. His oldest granddaughter, Richelle, was initiated Spring 2021 of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. through the Iota Chi Chapter at the University of South Carolina. In addition to their two children, his wife and he have one daughter-in-love, Audrey Mendiola Wilkins; five grandchildren, Richelle Saline Thompson, Rachel Savannah Thompson, Inaya Mayleen Wilkins, William Harges Wilkins IV, and Airosa Julien Wilkins.
Congratulations and thank you to Mr. William Harges Wilkins, Jr. for continued service and dedication of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and to the community at large.
in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Photo by John B. Smith, Jr.
Last updated on December 13, 2021
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