In early February 2005, Master William Mason 
and Master Willie Wilson renewed old friendships 
after having been out of contact with each other 
for many years. They had trained with each other 
and learned from some of the most respected 
Masters on the scene in the late 70's and early 
80's.  You can read their biographical sketches 
to  fill in the details on that. Master Wilson had 
been training in Modern Arnis and he and Master 
Mason agreed to get together with other Black 
belts in Karate 5 for a workout.

The work out lasted 3 hours and was very 
impressive to Master Mason. After the other 
Black belts left Master Wilson and Master 
Mason worked out for an additional 2 hours. 
At the end of the 5 hour session, Master Mason 
was so impressed that he decided to come out 
of his 12 year retirement to learn Modern Arnis.

Diania Long, one of his former Black belts, who 
had been asking him to return to teaching ever 
since he retired, got 4 more of his former Black 
belts to join her and thus became the nucleus of 
a Modern Arnis team. Master Mason intends to 
use these students as the backbone for a strong 
Modern Arnis school. As Master Wilson has 
been appointed the Coordinator for the whole of 
Tennessee, Master Butch Hill has middle and 
West Tennessee and Master Mason is the 
Coordinator of East Tennessee. The future is
brightly shining for Modern Arnis in the 
Southeastern United States.