The Rev. W. W. Oakley accepted Christ as his Savior when a boy of twelve, and united with Star Hope General Baptist Church. He felt the call to preach at the age of sixteen, but didn't yield to the call for four years. He preached his first sermon at Oakley Home General Baptist Church the fifth Sunday night in November, 1902.

He was licensed to preach the fifth Saturday night in March, 1903, and began pastoral work the next Sunday. He has been successful in both pastoral work and as an Evangelist for the past 50 years, having pastored 20 different churches during that time. He has witnessed something like 2000 persons saved under his ministry; has received hundreds into the General Baptist church, and baptized 1008,. He has conducted 633 funerals; and has married 151 couples.

He has organized three churches, and re-established three older churches.

He has been a booster for Christian Endeavor in Union Association, having organized Societies at the following churches: Tilden, Free Union, Clay and Shady Grove. He has been President of the Sunday School and Christian Endeavor Convention for nine years, at various times. To him is due a lot of credit for the success of Christian Endeavor in his Association. He did more than any one person to make it a go.

He has been an ardent supporter of The Messenger for many years, and always represents it on the floor when the Association convenes. The subscriptions he has taken runs into the hundreds, yea thousands. He served many years on the Home Mission Board of Union Association; also as Treasurer of the Association.

He is yet doing pastoral work, and says he is going strong for the Lord and the General Baptist.