The Gentle Giant of Martial Arts

(  2 - 27- 1944 )   to   (  10 - 4 - 2001 )

"I leave with you these thoughts" Grandmaster Bill Gregory wrote as he closed his final letter to his extended martial arts family.  "I have enjoyed and covet each of your friendships.  Freely have you given me your love and loyalty and freely do I return to you my love and loyalty.  Know that I have gone to a better place to join the Father in heaven.  I am in no more pain and have no more suffering.  I look for the day when I will meet each of you at the great feast with God Almighty.

Bill Gregory, Pai Meng Hu, White Mighty Tiger, an adopted grandson of the late Dr. Daniel K. Pai, was a martial artist from the depths of his soul.  As one of the first in this country to train and teach martial arts in formal and traditional ways, Bill Gregory was a pioneer in the martial arts.  A well-loved, much honored and deeply respected man, he was inducted into the American Karate Association's Hall of Fame as the "Gentle Giant of Martial Arts".

Born to an Italian immigrant soldier father and a loving, artistic mother, Bill carried a deep warrior's hunger for beauty, grace and personal excellence.  He appreciated the beauty of nature and cultivated a Japanese garden in the backyard of his home that would rival one of royalty.  As a young man, his interest grew and fueled his pursuit of the martial arts and ancient weapons.  This allure flourished into a lifetime commitment and dedication to training, teaching, mentoring and a quest for excellence in the martial arts.

In his early years, Bill Gregory studied many styles of martial arts, attaining levels of excellence in Japanese Kenpo, Chinese Kenpo Judo, Jujitsu, Aikido and Pai Lum Kung Fu.  He received his training and the foundation of his life long commitment from many of the great instructors including Kili Kujiama, the late Professor Nick Cerio, Master Mas Oyama, Bernard DeCasare, Master Tadashi Yamashita and the late Grandmaster Daniel K. Pai.

Bill Gregory's grace, humility and power, caught the eye of Dr. Daniel Kane Pai (Pai Lum, White Dragon system) in the late 1960's and a new aspect of his training began.  Over the next 25 years, Bill Gregory invited Dr. Pai to his Kajukenpo School of Karate in Rhode Island, and they hosted numerous clinics and workshops.  In 1990, Dr. Pai promoted Bill Gregory to the rank of 7^th level Dragon; an honored position held only by a handful of men.  Their professional association, as well as a deep respect and friendship held Dr. Pai and Bill Gregory together until Dr. Pai's death in 1993.

Bill Gregory founded the Kajukenpo Pai Lum Federation (KPLF) for the sole purpose of education men, women and children in the ancient traditions of the martial arts.  Grandmaster Bill Gregory dedicated his life to preserving the traditional training and teachings of Kajukenpo Pai Lum.  Throughout his life, he held positions in his local community and within the martial arts community, to insure the ancient ways were preserved.  Some of these positions included the Rhode Island Coordinator for the Better Business Bureau of Martial Arts, the East Coast Director for the American Karate Association and the Deputy Secretary General U.S. Chinese Kuo Shou Federation.

Grandmaster Gregory believed in the spirit of the Dragon.  A spirit that encourages us to help others in whatever way we can.  The best way he knew how was through the Kajukenpo Pai Lum Federation.  Over the years, he directed and hosted a variety of martial arts tournaments raising money for charities such as Muscular Dystrophy and the Big Brothers and Sisters.  For the last 13 years, he was the Grand Marshal at the White Dragon Fitness Center's "Kick for Cancer" tournament in New Hampshire, raising thousands of dollars for local hospice programs.

In 1995 at a ceremony in Naples, Florida, after a traditional year of mourning for Dr. Pai, Bill Gregory was awarded the highest honor any martial artist can receive; the title of Grandmaster.  He was a humble man at heart and it was with a full sense of honor and duty that he accepted the position of Grandmaster of the Kajukenpo part of the Pai Lum family.  Grandmaster Thomas St. Charles, Pai Shinzan, first adopted son of Lung Pai (Dr. Pai), granted the title.

With friendship, honor, respect and compassion, he expected no less than excellence from his students, which included schools from Florida to New England and stretching up into Canada.  His loss leaves a vast emptiness and deep ache in the hearts of those who knew him, yet he also instilled the Dragon's fire, honor, respect, responsibility and duty to ensure that his most loved art continues.

As the leader of the Kajukenpo Pail Lum Family, Grandmaster Gregory's endless desire was that his family remained strong and continually growing in the traditions of the ancient martial arts.  In his plan for the future and by his final letter, Grandmaster Gregory named a senior Disciple, Georganne R. Verigan, Zhong Hu (Loyal Tiger), 7^th level Black Sash, as the new leader of the Kajukenpo Pail Lum Federation. 

Grandmaster Gregory modeled his own philosophy.  Pai Lum is a way of life which encourages everyone to realize their full potential and to be better people by training body, soul and spirit.  He dedicated his life to sharing the tools, skills and values necessary to cultivate such growth and in the end, his final words were those of sharing this love.  He was indeed, an amazing man and one of the few that deserved to be called DRAGON.