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ISSHIN-RYU HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE'S   2003     


The Hall Of Fame board members and selection committee have once again added to the historical 
significance of Isshin-Ryu, by adding seven additional legends to it's "Hall of Fame”. Though not the 
intent or focus of the board as a reason for selection, the new inductee's (as a diverse group), represent
 the entire Isshin-Ryu community ethnically, regionally, and gender wise. It was clearly the boards best 
and most representative selection as a group. Although I am familiar with all, some are personally 
gratifying. Masters Sandra Strong and Kelly Markham, make the sixth and seventh inductees who 
were affiliated with my first dojo (The Nashville School Of Karate). When I opened that dojo in 1966, 
I never in my wildest dreams imagined that my linage (Phil McElroy, Jim McDonald, Butch Hill, 
David Gabbard) would produce seven Hall of Famer’s. Show's how smart you can look when you 
surround yourself with great people. I was then and continue to be honored by their friendship. 
Master Willie Wilson was another personal selection for me. He is a long time friend and continues to be 
a Mentor, advisor, and friend to me as well as my students. Master Diane Ortenzio-Cooling is friend and 
inspiration. Although married to one of our most prominent Isshin-Ryu Masters (Toby Cooling), she has
built her own identity based on individual merit and accomplishments.. She was along with Sandra, was 
on my "all time best selections" (see Shaffer’s All-Stars article). Master Isham Latimer was the subject
of a Masters profile on this site, which will be repeated at the bottom of this article. Master Carl Martin
is "Mr. Class". I have only come to know him the last few years. My only regret is that, I haven't enjoyed
his friendship longer. He was an excellent selection. I don't know Master Mitch Kobylanski personally, 
but I am familiar with his accomplishments. I offer him my congratulations.

Nominated from our dojo as instructor of the year, and in the top five, is Jason Anzur. He is up against 
some very tough competition, but he is my clear choice. Please find his picture and nomination statement
in the Dojo News portion of the site. He is deserving of your recognition.

In celebration of the Hall of Fame Inductee's, I am re-running some of the earlier Masters profiles. 
The Isham Latimer profile was written by Master Ortenzio-Cooling with a post script from me.

MASTER WILLIE G. WILSON
7TH,Dan
Karate 5 Dojo, Knoxville Tenn. 

Master Willie Wilson will only be referred to as Willie, as a matter of simple bio reference. 

This is one of the real deal people in society; forget just the martial arts. His accomplishments are well
documented by some of the foremost sensei’s in the arts. As a citizen, husband, and father, he is a master 
in all categories. He has been married to the lovely and accomplished Linda Brabson Wilson (who will 
be highlighted in our "ladies of Isshin-Ryu article). They have three children who mirror their parent’s 
good traits and looks. Willie is a very successful businessman as Postmaster of Blaine, Tenn. along with 
real estate investing and developing. He is a man that keeps balance and a commitment to excellence in 
his life. 

He was introduced to the martial arts in the army. After the army, Willie started train with Master Long 
in 1973.  He received his black belt in 1975.That date should be marked by every black Isshin-Ryu 
karate-ka for all time to come. Along with Melbert Lee (who will be written about at a later date) that 
brought the grand total of African American black belts to three. Think about that and try to understand 
what extra it took for these guys to succeed. The civil rights bill had only been signed 10 years before Willie
began his martial arts. The world still didn’t exactly welcome blacks with open arms. That included the 
very white world of southern Isshin-Ryu. Willie was blessed with some very good sensei’s in Cass Cox, 
Glen Webb, and The "Big Thumper" (Who will be in a later article) Master Maurice Masarsa. You gotta
be tough to train under these guys. I remember Willie in reputation as a good dojo fighter. Everyone in 
karate knows that this is the only real kind of fighter. Tournaments (aggressive tag) are ok and 
demonstrate skills, but dojo fighting demonstrates ability far beyond sport. Willie learned well in this type 
of down and dirty fighting from Maurice a dojo-wrecking machine. Willie is if anything a seeker and 
innovator.  His desire for knowledge led him to the legendary Professor Moses Powell, and Professor 
Florendo Visitacion. Under these men Willie gained high Dan rankings in the jujitsu systems of Sanuses 
Ryu and Vee-jitsu Ryu. He also gained enough knowledge to develop a discipline of his own. Willie and 
Melbert became partners in the Karate Five In 1980.These two men along with Fredrick Brabson, 
William Faulkner, and Linda Wilson, continued to develop an Isshin-Ryu, Jujitsu, Self Defense, system 
that is as good as it gets. When I returned to Isshin-Ryu Willie was one of the first guys I got re-acquainted 
with. I was re-elected to the I.I.K.A board and one of my first official acts was to nominate Willie to the
board. I felt it was unacceptable that there was no black representation on the board and obviously the 
other board members did too as Willie was unanimously elected. As a statement of intention I felt Willie 
was the best-qualified man I could nominate .The fact that he was African American was the best of all 
worlds. He has been a great addition to the board. His energy, honesty, organizational skills, and stand-
up-straight-shooter ways will be invaluable if we are to progress. I had not seen Willie demonstrate his 
skills in years, until we went to his I.I.K.A seminar. I was educated, entertained and inspired. I watched 
his footwork and just shook my head. He moved like a big powerful cat. What struck me was, here was 
a guy that had bucked the odds, busted his gut training and was just laying it all out for us. It was a gift 
only a martial arts person would understand the value of. The good news is we all have access to a man 
of his ability and skills. I’m proud to call Willie my friend, and I would be honored to be his student anytime 
he has the time. He is a true Master in every sense of the word, and an example for all to follow. 

Master Denny Shaffer, Ku-Dan 

  

MASTER ISHAM LATIMER

Isham Latimer began his martial arts journey in 1972 with Sensei Robert Salay in Huntington Village, 
New York, studying Isshin-Ryu karate. About the same time, he also began studying Ju-Jitsu with Sensei 
Joseph Drual. By mid-1974 he had achieved a shodan rank in Isshin-Ryu and a san-kyu rank in Ju-Jitsu. 
Later that year, he became good friends with Furman Simmons, a shodan in Sanucus-Ryu Ju-Jitsu under 
renowned Master Moses Powell. They worked out together, and while the exchange of techniques and 
combat applications was fruitful, his heart was still with Isshin-Ryu. He began searching for a sensei that 
had the skills, rank, and reputation with which he would be confident. That search led him in the winter of 
1975 to the dojo of Sensei Malachi Lee in New York City. Sensei Lee and his students so impressed him 
during his first visit to the dojo, that he made up his mind to join that very evening. He remembers that 
when he entered the dojo that night, everyone was serious and busy - and that was before the sensei even 
walked on the floor.  This was also Mr. Latimer's first introduction to the Order of Isshin-Ryu.  He 
remembers telling one of the other students that Isshin-Ryu was definitely "sweet for the street." Mr. 
Latimer had the privilege of being Sensei Lee's student until his untimely death in 1976.  He remembers 
thinking, "That man has got to be crazy! He would work you beyond your limits, then bring you back. He 
had a lot of energy, and would bring the same out in you." After Sensei Lee's death, he continued studying 
at the dojo and was promoted to the rank of Sho-dan by the O.I.  He has attributed his growth in 
knowledge to Master Cooling's leadership. In 1976 he received an instructor's certificate in Modern Arnis 
from Master Remy Presas. He has also continued training with his friend, Furman Simmons. However, 
he has always considered only one person as his sensei:  Toby Cooling.  In 1979, Sensei Latimer received 
his masters degree in social work from the State University of New York.  He then began work at the 
John Jay College of Criminal Justice (NY) as an academic counselor and faculty advisor.  In 1992 he 
attended the NY State Division of Parole Academy, graduating first in the class and receiving the Leroy 
Drake Award for Excellence.  He currently works for the Specialized Warrants Unit as a warrant officer 
in the Absconder Search Unit, and is a certified defensive tactics instructor for the state of New York. 

Sensei Latimer was elevated to the rank of Nana-dan in July, 1999.  He was awarded the "Spirit of 
Isshin-Ryu" award at the 1996 Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame and "Sensei of Sensei’s" in 2000. Sensei 
Latimer's busy life is anchored by his wife Joanne and daughters Lisa, Melissa, Michelle, and Laura. 

MASTER SHAFFERS COMMENTS ON MASTER LATIMER:
I met Master Latimer for the first time at Master Cooling’s summer shiai. I knew of him of coarse. His 
name and reputation transcends geographic lines. Fortunately I got to spend some quality time with him. 
After a few minutes I just opened up and asked some very hard personal questions in search of advice. 
Our dojo is very racially mixed. Maybe 50/50. I wanted to know how to insure every student the same 
exact opportunity (rank, hall of fame, board appointments) as every other student in an environment that 
has a spotty record of such. I am white, so on a lot of life experiences I am only guessing. I wanted to know 
how to effect progress without asking too much or accepting too little. I could not have gone to a more 
fair, realistic, or well-grounded person on the subject. His advice was a reflection of his own core values 
and self-confidence. I came away a wiser man and Sensei. The cultural direction of our dojo will always 
have a compass point in the direction of Master Latimer. 

 

MASTER SANDRA STRONG

That "ladies first" statement is one that Sandra is uncomfortable with when it comes to Isshin-Ryu. She 
has always wanted to be recognized and treated according to merit, not gender. I don’t know any one 
who has earned their rank and place any more than Sandra. I have mentioned people at our Nashville/ 
Fairview/ Lebanon/ Anderson, dojo’s that I consider a cut above just tough. Sandra could be anyone’s 
best pick for the toughest. She has endured some of the physically toughest Sensei’s on the planet. She 
has made it through the old days of no mercy to the present days of very little. I have been personally 
involved with her in two incidences that convinced me of her competitiveness and character. I was not 
Sandra’s Sensei. I would have enjoyed the honor but that credit belongs to Phil McElroy, Butch Hill, but 
more than anyone David Gabbard. I point this out because it reflects on mine and Sandra’s relationship 
and the first incidence. Sandra had just lost (one of the few times) her match at a tournament. She was 
upset with the call and outcome and had stormed out of the ring. I was watching and called to her to 
come back. I told her to take off her black belt, that she was busted. She, through teary eyes and clenched 
teeth took it off and handed to me. I was not her sensei. I was living in Anderson and had done nothing 
for her. She could have waited until I went back to Anderson and Talked to Phil or David. Instead she 
came back and apologized to me. I have accepted apologies before without giving belts back, but this 
time was different. I saw how Sandra was different and why everyone was so sold on her. She had a 
warrior’s heart and great humility at the same time. That was some 15 years ago. The second incident 
was about three years ago. We were having a shiai in Nashville. On the fourth round I drew Sandra. 
When I said she is as good as most men I’ve fought and better than most I had a reason for saying that. 
Gabbard warned me about the back kick she throws that hooks up into the groin. It is for Guys that try 
to lord over this 5’1 105 pound woman. Toward the end of the match she let go with it. Luckily I blocked 
it, but with both knees together. It knocked my legs out from under me. Off the matt Sandra will give 
you all the respect due you. On the matt she will also give you what is due to you. Sandra’s career has 
been all upward and onward. Tournament wise she has won some 170 trophies. She has fought 
professional full contact and at one time was rated 9th. She has fought in New York at Trump 
Towers and won national championships from Florida to New Jersey. Sandra presently serves on the 
IIKA board and has made some in-roads for separate women’s divisions and women’s grand champion 
divisions. Sandra is a fantastic example of how to become your own person in a predominately male 
atmosphere. She is a tireless worker and organizer. At any event you can count on Sandra to do more 
than her share. She holds down a full time job and has recently bought the Fairview Dojo from David 
Gabbard. She also organizes and hosts the annual "ladies of Isshin-Ryu" seminar. I know that Sandra 
is a sure Hall Of Famer in the near future. That would give our Nashville group six. I could give you a 
strong argument why she may be the best of the group. So saying "Ladies first" to Sandra may some 
day just be acknowledging her place in Isshin-Ryu. 

Denny Shaffer, Ku-Dan 

  

MASTER KELLY MARKHAM 

More than a quarter of a century ago, a lantern jawed, steely eyed, very serious young man named 
Kelly Markham walked into our Nashville dojo. Said he wanted to learn karate. He looked not too 
much different than he does today, and was the same Kelly that he is today. His straight forward open 
manner and his physical aggressiveness made you just know that if he liked karate, this was going to be 
one of the real good ones. As history would indicate, he did like it; and it liked him as well. Kelly was 
there only for a year, but won a lifetime membership and life long friends that trained with him. He was 
in Nashville going to school so it was back to Rogersville after graduation. There was no karate school 
in Rogersville. So Kelly, full of determination to succeed in martial arts, drove 100 miles round trip each 
week for two years. He now had his black belt and the" legend of Kelly’s Hero’s "was born. One 
constant in his life, he has always known who he is, and what his priorities are. He will tell you very 
quickly that God and family come first. Karate has been a way to highlight his character and a positive 
stage to be an example of his beliefs. But it is not his religion. Kelly is unique in many ways. He may be 
the last real honest straight shooter to live life his way and never sweat the small stuff. Kelly is a 
maverick. Not the kind that makes a habit of being arbitrary just for the sake of it, but the kind that 
is his own man at all times. Kelly could have advanced through the Dan ranks more quickly but he 
refused to come to Knoxville on a moments notice or play the game. Mr. Long complained to me 
about Kelly not coming around more often. I said, "Mr. Long no one trains any harder than Kelly 
but if you push him he’ll fight back and we’ll lose a good Isshin-Ryu man". Mr. Long came to understand 
Kelly’s ways and respected him for it. They developed a very good relationship and we kept a very good 
Isshin-Ryu man. Most of us are obsessive-compulsive about what we do. Not Kelly. He will hold a 
tournament and walk around and talk like some one else is in charge. Kelly wants to spend the day 
with friends. The dreary details can work themselves out. They always do and his tournament is one 
not to miss. This laid back great guy image disappears when he crosses the ring stripes. This vicious, 
nasty, fire brand, come right to you fighter (Not a dirty fighter) is a circle saw with attitude. He had 
the hardest right hand for his weight I’ve seen. He sits there with that thing cocked and just throws it 
through you when you get in range. Couple this with a flair for good sportsmanship and you have one 
of the outstanding pure fighters and competitors of our time. Kelly has won a room full of trophies and 
honors. His school "Kelly’s Hero’s", boast other national champions that fight with the same skill and 
gusto as their instructor. One of the first things I told my guys when we started going to tournaments is, 
"when you get in the ring with one of the "Hero’s" you’d better strap it on a little bit tighter.” Kelly is 
an IIKA board member and brings common sense and integrity to its membership. Here is another guy 
that I have been blessed with knowing. He is the kind of man that you could and would go to in any 
situation where you needed some one you could trust and count on. Kelly Markham, a stand out and 
stand up guy in every way. 

 Master Denny Shaffer, Ku-Dan