Shihan Bill Olsen Profile

In 1970 I was an apprentice in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.  In my class was Dan Morris, a Vietnam veteran, started talking about his karate class that he was taking.  Because of that talk I decided to come and see for myself.  So, in April 1970 I started on this journey in the martial arts.

 

Soke Hill was our instructor and thru the years I have met and worked with so many interesting people.  All of them have helped me and made me a better person.  Soke Hill has been a mentor to me.  Making me read books on self-improvement and life.  The amount of time we spent in a car together traveling back and forth to Canada were so educational.  

 

In December1973 I tested for Shodan.  Early in 1974 I opened up a dojo in Port Orchard, Washington.  In 1977 I decided to go back to college and become a teacher.  I turned the dojo over to Sensei Doug Johnson.  I graduated in 1978 and tried to become a teacher.  What really became out of that time was that I got the Port Orchard Dojo back.  But we moved to the Warterman Community Club and it became our new home.  My first Black Belt was Brian Gross.   He wasn't very athletic and might even be called a Nerd. ( I can say that because I don't think he would ever read this).  On his Shodan test, which he passed with flying colors, I asked him how he trained for this test.  He said that he would go through his Katas every day.  

 

I tried to retire from karate twice but I missed the friendship of the people and the challenge of learning more and more karate.  Currently I am living in Allyn, Wahington and have been a part of the Shelton, Washington Dojo with Sensei Tim Ford, Sensei Kieth Visser, Sensei Rusty Fry, Sensei Mark McLaughlin, Sensei Erica Marbet and Sensei Charles Wasilowski.

 

Bill & Jan Olson