WILLIE GARFIELD WILSON

  

Biography

 

Name: Willie Garfield Wilson

Date of Birth: August 17, 1949

Place of Birth: Blount County, TN

Marital Status: Married 34 years, wife Linda

Children: Three…Shelia, Anston, and Shantala

First Exposure to the Martial Arts: During Service in the US Army

Teaching Experience: Served as instructor since 1975. Presently is President and Chief Instructor of the Karate Five Dojo. Active member of the IIKA Board and member of IMAF

Ranks: Hachi (8th) Dan Isshinryu

           Yo (4th) Dan Vee-Jitsu Ryu

           Ni (2nd) Dan Sanuces Ryu

           Instructor Modern Arnis

Work Experience:  Retired from the US Postal Service in 2004.

 

Training Background

 

*1973 Started Isshinryu Training under Grand Master Harold Long.

*1975 Was Awarded Sho Dan By Master Long.

            Other notables that provided training include Masters Maurice Msarsa,   

            Glenn Webb, and Cas Cox.

            At this time (along with Master Melbert Lee, Sr.) Started promoting and

            teaching Isshinryu in the inner city to young adults and children.

*1980 (Along with Melbert Lee Sr, Frederick Brabson, William Faulkner, and

    Linda Wilson) Formed the Karate Five Group.  Presently the Karate Five

    Group consists of (Willie Wilson, Melbert Lee Sr., William Faulkner,

          Jon Whitehead and Daryl Cox)

*In the late 1970’s started Jiu Jitsu training. This included:

            Sanuces-Ryu under the late Grand Master Moses Powell

            Vee- Jitsu under the late Professor Florendo M. Visitacion

*2002 Started Modern Arnis training under Grand Master Jeff Delaney and

           Professor Lisa McManus. (Master Delaney is the successor to professor

           Remy A. Presas, the founder of Modern Arnis.)

           Since 2002, Master Wilson has been instrumental in promoting and

           Sponsoring five Modern Arnis Camps in Tennessee.

           In addition, Master Wilson attended several Modern Arnis camps in other

           States.

            Master Wilson Is the Modern Arnis Representative in Tennessee.

 

Awards, Recognitions, and Other Activities

 

*1979 Sponsored a Sanuces Ryu/Isshinryu Tournament. Both Grandmaster Long and Grandmaster Powell sanctioned this “once in a lifetime” event.

*1999 Instructor of the Year by The Isshinryu Hall of Fame (IHOF).

*2002 Master of the Year by World Karate Union Hall of Fame

*2002 nominated Sensei of Sensei Isshinryu Hall of Fame

*2003 Inducted into The Isshinryu Hall of Fame

*2004 Master of the Year World Wide Hall of Fame

 *2005 Golden Achievement Award by World Karate Union Hall of Fame

*Over the years, Master Wilson received numerous awards and recognitions for his

  services, contributions, and leadership. One of Master Wilson’s most treasured

  award is a Tai Chi Sword  from Master Shaffer.  Since 1977 Master 

 Wilson was instrumental in organizing KIDS DAY programs

  to help children at different schools learn about Isshinryu and the dangers of

  crime on the streets. In the early years, some of these programs were given along

  with Master Harold Long.

*During the last 30 years, Master Wilson taught hundreds of students the art of

  Isshinryu along with Jiu Jitsu and Modern Arnis cross training. He gave

  numerous martial arts demonstrations and seminars to civic groups, churches,

  schools…including the

  University of Tennessee, Black History Month activities, Dogwood Arts Festival,

  Knoxville College Home Coming, Isshinryu Hall of Fame, World Union Hall of

  Fame In addition, Master Wilson appeared on numerous radio and TV talk shows,

   commercials, evening news on local TV, and in newspaper articles.

 *Master Wilson was instrumental in introducing a karate class at the National

   Fitness Health Club in Knoxville, TN.

 

  Since Grand Master Harold Longs passing away in 1998, Master Maurice Msarsa

  accepted the role of Karate Five Sensei. We asked Master Msarsa for his

  perspective of Master Wilson. Here is what he had to say:

 

“Master Willie Wilson is the most devoted and hardest training martial artist I

 know. His quest for knowledge, his ability to grasp what he is taught, and the

 skills to execute the techniques make him an exceptional practitioner of the 

 martial arts.  He is from the old school of hard work. He only accepts perfection

 and commitment. He is not afraid to share his knowledge. He is tough. I am proud

 to be on the same team with him.”