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Jay T. Will

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Jay T. Will
BornJay T. Will
(1942-03-10)March 10, 1942
United States Columbus, Ohio, USA
DiedMarch 15, 1995(1995-03-15) (aged 53)
United States Atlanta, Georgia
StyleKenpo Karate
Teacher(s)Ed Parker, Al Tracy
Rank  8th degree black belt in Kenpo Karate

Jay T. Will (March 10, 1942 - March 15, 1995) was an American martial artist. He trained under Ed Parker and Al Tracy in American Kenpo and was promoted by the latter to the rank of 8th degree black belt.

Jay T. Will taught over 10,000 students, and he was well known as a tournament competitor and especially as a referee (he was PKA Referee of the Year in 1982 and 1983, and Karate International magazine's "Referee of the Decade"), and a media commentator on martial arts competitions. He appeared in over 20 films and also appeared on television many times (including "Kenpo Karate for Self-Defense" on WOSU-TV and Warner QUBE and the syndicated movie matinee show "Black Belt Theater" that he hosted). He also taught martial arts at law enforcement agencies, the Ohio State University, and Wittenberg University.

Some of the honors Mr. Will received include:

  • "Top Ten Karate Competitors" Karate Illustrated, 1972
  • Ohio State Black Belt Open Champion, 1972
  • Tournament of Champions Black Belt Champion, 1972
  • East Coast vs West Coast Black Belt Champion, 1971
  • Kenpo Black Belt Grand Champion, 1973
  • Ohio-Pennsylvania Black Belt Grand Champion, 1972
  • Pro-Am Black Belt Grand Champion, 1972 & 1973
  • PKA Referee of the Year, 1982 & 1983
  • Karate Instructor of the Year, Black Belt, 1976[1]
  • Kenpo Instructor of the Year, Inside Kung-Fu, 1984

His numerous film and television appearances made him one of the most recognized martial artists in America.

Jay T. Will was an active member of SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and worked as a stuntman in both film and television. Some of his television work included; Knight Rider, Battlestar Galactica, Riptide The Fall Guy, CBS Sports Spectacular and America Goes Bananas. His film credits are; Meteor, Force Five, City on Fire and Jaguar Lives.

He appeared on the cover of many martial magazines and was included in many more.[2]

He had 2 daughters, Shawn Kathleen and Haven Shannon.

He studied at San Jose State University.

He authored two books: Kenpo Karate for Self-Defense and Advanced Kenpo Karate.

In 1985 he "was convicted on charges of possession of cocaine for sale, after authorities discovered $750,000 worth of the drug in his Columbus, Ohio karate school."[1]

  • TRIVIA* Mr. Will's Best Man in his wedding was Patrick Wayne, son of John Wayne.

References

  1. ^ a b Bill Wallace (Sep 1996). "Wallace's World". Black Belt. Vol. 24, no. 9. p. 24.
  2. ^ "Jay Will in magazines".retrieved 8/20/14
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