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This is one of the real deal people in society; forget just the martial arts. His accomplishments are well documented by some of the foremost sensei’s in the arts. As a citizen, husband, and father, he is a master in all categories. He has been married to the lovely and accomplished (who will be highlighted in our "ladies of Isshin-Ryu article) Linda Bradson Wilson. They have three children who mirror their parent’s good traits and looks. Willie is a very successful businessman as Postmaster of Blaine, Tenn. along with real estate investing and developing. He is a man that keeps balance and a commitment to excellence in his life. His was introduced to the martial arts in the army. After the army, Willie started train with Master Long in 1973.He received his black belt in 1975.That date should be marked by every black Isshin-Ryu karate-ka for all time to come. Along with Melbert Lee (who will be written about at a later date) that brought the grand total of African American black belts to three. Think about that and try to understand what extra it took for these guys to succeed. The civil rights bill had only been signed 10 years before Willie began his martial arts. The world still didn’t exactly welcome blacks with open arms. That included the very white world of southern Isshin-Ryu. Willie was blessed with some very good sensei’s in Cass Cox, Glen Webb, and The "Big Thumper" (Who will be in a later article) Master Maurice Masarsa. You gotta be tough to train under these guys. I remember Willie in reputation as a good dojo fighter. Everyone in karate knows that this is the only real kind of fighter. Tournaments (aggressive tag) are ok and demonstrate skills, but dojo fighting demonstrates ability far beyond sport. Willie learned well in this type of down and dirty fighting from Maurice a dojo-wrecking machine. Willie is if anything a seeker and innovator. His desire for knowledge led him to the legendary Professor Moses Powell, and Professor Florendo Visitacion. Under these men Willie gained high Dan rankings in the jujitsu systems of Sanuses Ryu and Vee-jitsu Ryu. He also gained enough knowledge to develop a discipline of his own. Willie and Melbert became partners in the Karate Five In 1980.These two men along with Fredrick Brabson, William Faulkner, and Linda Wilson, continued to develop an Isshin-Ryu, Jujitsu, Self Defense, system that is as good as it gets. When I returned to Isshin-Ryu Willie was one of the first guys I got re-acquainted with. I was re-elected to the I.I.K.A board and one of my first official acts was to nominate Willie to the board. I felt it was unacceptable that there was no black representation on the board and obviously the other board members did too as Willie was unanimously elected. As a statement of intention I felt Willie was the best-qualified man I could nominate .The fact that he was African American was the best of all worlds. He has been a great addition to the board. His energy, honesty, organizational skills, and stand-up-straight-shooter ways will be invaluable if we are to progress. I had not seen Willie demonstrate his skills in years, until we went to his I.I.K.A seminar. I was educated, entertained and inspired. I watched his footwork and just shook my head. He moved like a big powerful cat. What struck me was, here was a guy that had bucked the odds, busted his gut training and was just laying it all out for us. It was a gift only a martial arts person would understand the value of. The good news is we all have access to a man of his ability and skills. I’m proud to call Willie my friend, and I would be honored to be his student anytime he has the time. He is a true Master in every sense of the word, and an example for all to follow. |
