Willard G. Wilkinson was born in Wimbledon, England in 1889. After serving his country in World War I, he moved to the United States and attended Rutgers University. After graduation, Wilkinson accepted a position with golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast. Wilkinson was promoted to vice president and helped worked on projects including Winged Foot Country Club and Baltusrol Country Club.

In 1924, with the help of Tillinghast, Wilkinson entered private practice. During Wilkinson’s career, he would design 87 golf courses, including international design work. Wilkinson was elected as an ASGCA member in 1949 and served 30 years until his death in 1979.