Bill Leonard Obituary, Kentucky, Eldest Master at Shaolin-Do Association Has Died

Bill Leonard Obituary, Death – On Friday, July 7th, 2023, Eldest Master Bill Leonard, who had a 10th Degree Black Belt in Shaolin-Do, left this world. It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of his passing. My first encounter with him occurred in 1994, when I was taking the examination for the First Degree Black Belt.

I can’t remember a time in my life or since then when I was more anxious than I am right now. Since I was spending the summer at my childhood home in Indiana, he was kind enough to meet me for a private examination that he had scheduled while I was there. He made me test on all of the material for white belt all the way up to black belt, and then he made me test on 3-Method Fist as my last form, and then he proceeded to beat the living daylights out of me while I performed the form.

One of the most exciting times in my life was when I found out I had passed the test. When I was competing in the continuous sparring tournament in Louisville, Kentucky in 1999, I had the honour of sparring in Master Bill’s ring during the finals of the sparring competition. This tournament was held in 1999. I can still hear him saying that we were going to put on a show for everyone right before we started. I’d like to express my gratitude to Eldest Master Bill for everything. You are going to be sorely missed. Additionally, please accept my sincerest sympathies on behalf of his family.