William Nicholas Knisely Jr. (born 1960) is the thirteenth and current diocesan bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island.
While a graduate student in Physics and Astronomy at Delaware, he decided to study for the priesthood, going on to Yale University's Berkeley Divinity School.
[1] Nicholas served initially as a priest in Delaware, Western and Eastern Pennsylvania, before becoming dean of the Episcopal cathedral in Phoenix, Arizona.
In his clerical duties, he was active in ministries that focused on homelessness, communications, college and youth, finance, and ecumenical relations.
[2] Knisely was the first person to chair the General Convention Standing Commission on Communications and Technology.