Bill Parsons
IKCA Sr. Director, Instructor Certification Program
IKCA Certified Video Instructor
IKCA Certified Instructor, Triangle Kenpo Institute, Raleigh NC
The Early Years
My initial exposure to the martial arts came in March of 1972 when I was 15. My first instructor was Bruce Juchnik, now of Kosho-Ryu fame. At that time, he was teaching his version of Chinese Kenpo, a variation of Tracy’s Kenpo. I immediately fell in love with studying the martial arts. I was well on my way to working on my purple belt when I had to stop studying due to finances. I searched out other arts to continue my studies, a class here, an informal work out there, but frankly nothing caught my attention like Kenpo. It is my foundation, through and through. Kenpo has had a positive effect on every art I have ever studied or taught.
The Military
In July of 1974 I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. The unique thing about being a martial artist in the military is that something new and different to learn is always available. When arriving at a new base, I immediately sought out what was being taught in that area. As a result, I’ve been exposed to a wide variety of systems and styles. The ones that did the most for my personal development were Won Hop Kuen Do (Al Decasco’s derivative of Kajukenbo); Sil Lum, Wing Chun, Five Animal Gung Fu, and of course Hap Ki Do.
In late ’76 I received orders to Kunsan AB, South Korea. I knew I was going to an area with a rich martial arts tradition, but I was unfamiliar with Korean martial arts. About a month before deploying I saw a little movie called ‘Billy Jack’, showcasing a Korean art known as Hap Ki Do. I did a bit of research, and I knew that’s what I wanted to learn.
My instructor in Korea was Mr. Song Hun Pak, one of his instructors was Mr. Bong Soo Han, of Billy Jack fame. Upon the recommendation of Mr. Pak, I contacted GM Han when I returned stateside and he graciously granted me permission to teach Hap Ki Do, even though I was only a 1st Dan at the time. Over the next 23 years I taught numerous Hap Ki Do classes in various locations. In 1990 I established the Merced Hap Ki Do Academy, teaching primarily active duty service personnel.
The IKCA: 1999-2015
After leaving the military, I wanted to become a student again, I dabbled in Tae Kwon Do for a short time down in Tampa, Florida. It was refreshing to just go back to learning. But as I worked out with various martial artists, the desire to return to Kenpo became strong.
I searched for qualified, local Kenpo instructors but to no avail. The closest one was too far away for regular study. It was then that I learned of the Karate Connection (yup, the old Black Belt Magazine ad). Frankly, I was very skeptical at first. Martial arts distance learning was not my thing, not something I was seeking out, but I was intrigued. I investigated the viability of distance learning, thoroughly researching Chuck Sullivan and Vic LeRoux; their relationship with Ed Parker; as well as the IKCA system itself. I decided to give it a shot and thus began a relationship that continues to this day.
Triangle Kenpo Institute
In 2002, I established Triangle Kenpo Institute (TKI) in Raleigh NC. We’re one of two schools North Carolina teaching and representing the IKCA system. For the first 10 years, we taught in a variety of locations; but for the past 10 years have been part of the Parks & Recreation system for the City of Raleigh. We teach Chinese Kenpo, with a fair amount of Hap Ki Do mixed in. TKI has produced five local Black Belts over the years, each one a credit to the system and their teacher.
The IKCA: 2015-Present
In 2015, I was approached by GM Vic LeRoux to become one of the IKCA Distance Learning Program instructors. Frankly, I jumped at the chance. I love to teach, and I saw this as an opportunity to have a positive influence on students worldwide on behalf of the IKCA. It has been everything I expected and more. In 2017, when GM Vic retired, I was honored to become the Director of the DLP and CI Programs. In 2023 I was promoted to Sr. Director – IKCA Instructor Certification Program.
To this day, I consider my participation in the IKCA to be a privilege.
Personal Life
In 1975, I was granted the blessing of a lifetime when my high school sweetheart, and the love of my life, Donna, became my wife. In a couple of months, we will celebrate our 49th anniversary. We have two adult children who have blessed us with two terrific grandsons. Through it all, Donna has supported my participation in the arts, something I will never take for granted.
One of my most meaningful personal accomplishments was to bring my son Phyllip through the IKCA system to Black Belt. Phyl is one my assistant instructors at TKI and is currently working on Certified Instructor status.