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William Hulsey Obituary
Bill was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Lung Cancer in June 2023 and soon learned it was stage 4. He completed 4 rounds of Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy in October 2023. He knew his cancer was not curable but always chose the path he believed would give him the most time with his family.
Bill was born in Merced on February 10, 1947. He is preceded in death by his Father, Hansford Earl Hulsey; his Mother, Eva Marie Hulsey (Clark); and his brother, Hansford Earl Hulsey, Jr.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Lori Hulsey; his son William Warner and his wife Silvia; his daughter Jaclyn Hulsey and her husband Jesse; his Godson Brandon Hawk; his brother Donald Hulsey; his grandchildren Mia and Liam Warner; and his extended family and friends.
Bill was known by many as Grand Master Bill Hulsey. He was a well-known and respected 1st generation Master of Kung Fu San Soo. He was taught by Grand Master Jimmy Woo. He was also a student of Frank Woolsey. He opened his first studio in Bellflower in 1975 and received his Masters Degree on July 30, 1983. He was the President of the National Teachers Association of Kung Fu San Soo and spent his life teaching men, women and children near and far. He will also be survived by his students who will not only preserve the Art but will preserve and honor his legacy.
Above all, Bill was a family man and adoring husband, father and friend. He could easily light up a room with his voice and story-telling. He enjoyed camping trips and family vacations. After his retirement, he always looked forward to spending a week in San Diego with his wife, Lori at the Welk Resort. He enjoyed being out in his backyard with his barbeque or working out a song on his guitar.
He was loved by so many and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Ron Ellis
November 19, 2024
I was a private student of Bill’s from about 1998 to 2010, when I was age 62 and had my first injury. Bill had awarded me my sixth degree black belt and I mention that since very few students make black belt without a severe injury. I attribute my experience to the fact I was one on one with Bill, I was just a year younger than him and we were careful.
The first thing you noticed about Bill was that he wasn’t a huge guy but big boned, which made him able to endure his years with Frank Wolsey. In his class other students would try moves to see if they really worked. A student tried a Futga lesson on him where he drive a knee to Bill’s groin then smashed an elbow on the back of Bill’s neck. Bill was knocked out cold and the student reported to Wolsey, “I think I just killed Bill”. Bill was sent to the hospital with a broken vertebrae in the neck, but made a full recovery.
This was the type of thing I avoided by taking private lessons, and it illustrates Bill’s physical toughness.
When we practiced, there were some Numpi lessons that we talked about but didn’t practice since we were both older, and would likely get injured. One was #144 Numpi which involved an attack from the rear starting with a powerful hit with the shoulder to the lower back, while grabbing the front of the feet and pulling up, where the victim would him the ground face first on the mat. This is a lesson where the likelihood of injury was 100%, if you have lower back problems. But good to know about.
We both were amazed that we had the opportunity to learn Sun Soo Kung Fu. I was very honored to learn directly from Bill a Grand Master. Hard to imagine the contrast between how I was able to learn versus someone who tried to learn in a class with 50 people. I was able to learn the art the right way lesson by lesson, and after a couple of years became a black belt. A lot easier. Bill was at all times very patient with no trace of arrogance that you might expect of a Grand Master. It was like he was learning from me at the same time. So he never talked down at me as a student, but from an attitude of someone who was privileged to learn the art and shared that with me as a student. It is true that if Jimmy Woo hadn’t brought the art with him after WWII, we as Americans never would have learned the art.
I had studied Shotokan Karate in college, but there is no comparison between that karate and Kung Fu San Soo. As a result, I could experience the lessons taught by Bill with awe. Again, I look back on the years I studied with Grand Master Bill as very enjoyable and beneficial. I was sorry to hear about his respiratory system cancer and subsequent death. He was one man who lived each day to the fullest as if it was his last.
Edward F. Leffingwell jr
November 11, 2024
He was my kung fu master in Bellflower ca, late 70s
Mickey
June 8, 2024
You are missed master Bill, thank you for for all your teaching and patience; God grant those left behind with peace and comfort
Forever grateful
Mickey wright
Alan Scott Davidson
March 14, 2024
I remember when Master Bill started adding tape strips to belts to encourage newbies to make it to that next belt. It inspired new san soo people to get another month in, many which are still skilled today to defend their grandkids because Master Bill is a great inspiration to all he taught and spoke with. You are a true San Soo Master,
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Kenneth Niess
January 29, 2024
I trained with Bill at Jimmy Woo's in ElMonte, CA. We had great workouts. He was always a pleasure to workout with and talk with. I'm glad we talked earlier in the year,last year. Rest in Peace my friend. Master Kenneth Niess
Randy Donahue
January 16, 2024
I´m learning of Master Hulsey´s passing just now and truly sad to hear. He was a great representative of Kung Fu San Soo. He and I spoke on occasion as I´ve been looking to get back into studying San Soo but don´t live near a school. He was very supportive and I could tell a very caring man. May he rest in peace and prayers to his family and close students.
Charles Johnson
December 15, 2023
I remember his first studio on Alondra in Bellflower. We would often reminisce about that time in the 1980's. He would say " things were so simple then." He was a great guy and our conversations were on many subjects. I will miss him dearly!!!
Richard Dinsmore
December 14, 2023
An unspeakable loss of one of the giants of a vanishing art. Bill was influential to many people in nothing but positive ways.
Kimberly Cuddy
December 9, 2023
My deepest condolences to the Hulsey family. Grand Master Bill played such an important part in my son's life growing up, teaching him about kung fu sansoo and life in general. I've always been so grateful for the role GM Bill held and the positive impression he made on my son's life. I met, and instantly loved, his wife, Lori like a long lost sister. I am holding you all in my heart and prayers. With love, Kimberly
William Warner
December 6, 2023
I truly miss my dad sometimes I hear him but it’s comforting in what he tells me he keeps saying everything will be alright we got our angel watching over us my dad was a great man who touched a lot of people especially myself he taught me to be a great and loving father and the man I am today thank you for all your love and vast knowledge I love you dad and I very much miss hearing your voice rest easy day we will meet again
Jonathan Mull
December 6, 2023
My condolences to the family. I did not know Master Hulsey personally but as a fellow Kung Fu San Soo practitioner, I offer to him my formal Salute.
David & Kathy Simons
December 5, 2023
Sorry to hear the news of Bill's passing. Our condolences and prayers for the Hulsey family.
Chuck Schroeder
December 4, 2023
GM Bill Hulsey was the man, not only an expert artist, a master teacher and always truly the family man. After seminars he and his beautiful family would open their home and stories would commence.
My condolences and heart felt prayers for the family and his beautiful wife Lori for God´s peace during this difficult time.
Will miss Mr. B.
God´s blessings, peace and comfort.
Chuck Schroeder
Steven Hatfield
December 4, 2023
Bill was larger than life to me, I was always in awe of his speed and prowess and he really was so much more than a friend to me He was like a dad to me, and I will always love him in that way and I'll always miss him dearly
Dawn
December 4, 2023
We spent a wonderful day enjoying the Hulsey hospitality a few years ago when visiting from Scotland. Ryan bonded with Bill and all the family and we so often remember that time. I wish we could have had many more times together but we´ll never forget Bill´s fun stories, his fatherly wisdom and his great BBQ skills! Dawn and Ryan
Randall Alan Martinez
December 4, 2023
My first memory of Master Bill was how he put his trust in me, unwavering.
When I went in to sign up at his school to learn the finest hand to hand combat or ever invented by man, Master Bill greeted me kindly and professionally. I guess I expected the third degree from him in an attempt to find out my intentions, whether I would use the skills aggressively or responsibly. I was really amazed that he quickly saw that I had only the desire to be a part of something good. (Master Bill has been known to weed out the bad apples in honesty and integrity). From that day forward he only got greater and greater in character, in kindness, and in his willingness to teach. This all eventually turned into a friendship that is quite rare in today's humanity.
I learned a lot from Master Bill that even extends further than martial arts and the physical ability to defend oneself. Between Master Bill and The Lord above I believe I have learned a lot of humility and contentment which equals confidence.
I always heard that Jimmy H Woo would stress the gift of 'confidence'. And as I understand it that was the goal that Jimmy wanted to accomplish in all his students. As a student of Jimmy's I believe that Grand Master Bill Hulsey has met that Elite expectation.
Grand Master Bill Hulsey is the greatest example to us all in many cat gories.
As his student I hope that I can make him as proud as he has made Jimmy and the man above :-)
And even though I am still at a large loss of words I say
Salute to you Sir! and Thank You!
--
Randy
Jeff
December 4, 2023
I cant find the words to express how this man was in life. Very Powerful, and a Gentle giant at the same time. He will be missed tremendously.
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