Shiro Kawa Dojo's Sensei

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Sensei Bill Whitley

Whitley Sensei and his wife, Miseon, live in Abilene Texas.  Whitley Sensei is the Environmental Enforcement Officer for the City of Abilene.  He is a seven-year veteran of law enforcement and holds a Master Degree from Abilene Christian University. He holds an advanced certificate from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Whitley Sensei has served as a defensive tactics instructor for the Sul Ross State University's Police Academy (Alpine, Texas).

Whitley Sensei began training in Martial Arts at an early age. He has studied Ed Parker's Kempo Karate, Mu Duk Won Tae Kwon Do and Aikijujutsu. He received his instructor's license in Nippon Goshin Aikijujutsu no Koryu from Ben Balanay Sensei in 1994. He also earned a Shodan from Sam Combes, Kancho of Aikido Yoshinkan. Whitley Sensei is a nidan in Aikijujutsu Daito Ryu.

Whitley Sensei is privileged to have the strong support of his family. His late father, Steve Whitley, was a 30+ year veteran of law enforcement. Mr. Whitley trained side by side with his son in Kempo Karate and Mu Duk Won. He later became Sempai (assistant instructor) for Sensei Whitley at his dojo in Alpine, Texas. "I can not remember a time when my father and mother did not show up to one of my tests or tournaments. They have been there for me all the way."

The Story Behind Shiro Kawa Dojo

As a teenager, one of the most exciting events of my life was white water rafting in Colorado. The raw, awsome power of white water has always amazed me. I remember the raft guide avoiding the large whirl pools of water created behind large boulders. A raft caught in a large whirl pool like that could be sucked under with tragic results.

Later in life, as I began my training with Sensei Balanay, the images of white water always came to mind while I practiced Aikijujutsu. Tenkan movements reminded me of the whirl pools I saw forming behind the large rocks in the river. Even as a student, I knew I would call my dojo Shiro Kawa or White River.