Grandmaster Bill Lasiter

Grandmaster Bill Lasiter studied with Jimmy H. Woo from 1960 until Mr. Woo's death in 1991. He received his black belt in 1963 and received his master's degree in 1977. He taught in Ontario from 1963 until his move to Rancho Cucamonga on September 15, 1994. Bill received the honor of Grandmaster on October 25. 1997.

Bill's interest in self defense goes back more than a half a century when he first started boxing in the Marine Corps. With more than 50 professional fights under his belt, Bill had the drive to master fighting.

After Bill completed his tour with the Marine Corps he happened to pass by a martial arts studio in El Monte, California which advertised "Karate Kung Fu”. People in those early years were unfamiliar with most types of martial arts, but they would most likely recognize Karate. Bill proceeded to watch a film from an 8mm projector demonstrating the techniques taught in the studio which were actually known as Kung Fu San Soo. He was completely amazed at the fact that the participants not only struck with their hands and feet but also with their entire body. Every move was precise and devastating. After watching a short while Bill was approached by none other than Grandmaster Jimmy H. Woo. Jimmy approached Bill and asked “How can I help you young man?" Bill replied "I want to fight like that" and the rest is history.

Bill trained in Kung Fu San Soo under Jimmy for 5 straight years without ever missing a single class. After receiving his black belt Bill felt the urge to teach and opened his first school in 1965 out of Ontario, California. The beginning was difficult but those first students who trained under Bill enjoyed the one-on-one time with him, and many went on to become masters in the art themselves.

Bill's unique style has earned him the great respect so few masters can achieve. His free flowing style has a signature completely of its own. Bill took his knowledge of Kung Fu San Soo along with his skill of American Boxing and created a blend of both efficiency and effectiveness that is unmatched.

Most of today's martial arts have a head to head, toe to toe approach. Bill has always practiced moving away from the opponent's power zone by moving behind or beside them. By doing so, the attacker cannot effectively block or strike, thus the offender becomes the defender. Other martial arts use the block-strike approach. Bill uses his block and self defines it as "the most important move in a fight.” In many of Bills blocks he not only redirects the opponents strike, but the block actually becomes a strike of its own leaving the opponent open and defenseless.

Most Kung Fu San Soo studios do not practice grappling and ground techniques. Bill believes that any fight can ultimately end up on the ground, and one should be able to use the same efficient style on the ground as when upright. Often grapplers end up on the ground with the opponent on top of them striking to their head without being able to block and redirect the energy. Bill's unique style utilizes blocking and catching the strike so that a fighter can take the offender's arm and manipulate it in different ways to render him defenseless.

Bill's interest in teaching and being able to pass down the art of Kung Fu San Soo through generations far outweighs his business interests. His devotion and dedication to the art is unmatched. Bill's energy and enthusiasm has and will continue to inspire the martial arts world for years to come.