The Episcopal Diocese of Western New York is the diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America with jurisdiction over the counties of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming in western New York.

R. William "Bill" Franklin was the eleventh bishop of Western New York.

Franklin was born in Mississippi and had previously served in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Previously, J. Michael Garrison was the tenth bishop of Western New York.

He has a bachelor's and a master's of religious education from Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio and an honorary doctorate from General Theological Seminary in New York City.