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Shihan Bill Cromer

Shihan Bill Cromer began his martial arts journey in 1978. Growing up in a military family meant frequent relocations, which often interrupted his training. However, over the years, he studied multiple disciplines, including Taekwondo, Shotokan, and Wae Kune Do. It wasn't until the late 1980s that he found stability in his training under the guidance of Master Clarence West.As he progressed in rank, Shihan Cromer became an assistant instructor at the Toronto Dojo, later teaching at the Steubenville and Wintersville Dojos after Toronto’s closure. He excelled in competition, earning multiple trophies in kata, sparring, weapons, and self-defense. Life eventually took him away from the Ohio Valley, but he remained dedicated to his craft, continuing his personal training and bringing his gear whenever he visited family. Though his tournament career paused, his passion for martial arts never wavered.Upon settling in Columbus, Ohio, Shihan Cromer resumed his training under Master James Parrish and Master Steven Hatfield. He has played a pivotal role in mentoring students and serving on examination boards for ranking promotions. The passing of Master West was a profound loss, prompting him to return to tournament competition—a testament to his commitment to keeping Wae Kune Do alive and thriving.Recognized as a certified instructor of Wae Kune Do by the Sakakku Karate Renmei, Shihan Cromer has earned the prestigious title of Shihan. Beyond martial arts, he is a proud member of Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity, having served as Sergeant at Arms and New Member Educator. His dedication to service extends to several philanthropic organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.With a passion for teaching, he has led numerous self-defense and kata seminars and continues to share his knowledge as the head instructor of WKD Karate in Columbus, Ohio.

-HISTORY-

"The Art Of Taking Away & Creating An Illusion"

Founder Grand Master Clarence West

Wae-Kune-Do Karate was founded in 1969 by Grandmaster Clarence West. Primarily built upon the foundation of Tang Soo Do, Grandmaster West's system established itself on the national stage as a formidable art of self defense. The art of Wae-Kune-Do Karate is a difficult and demanding system that teaches the student the balance between mental and physical strength, as well as humility and restraint. This system has not been intended for Hollywood, but rather to be taught as a way of life with students learning to contribute positively to their world and community.

The system of Wae-Kune-Do Karate was founded by Grandmaster Clarence West in 1969. Grandmaster West began studying the arts in Washington, D.C., under Sensei Jerry Barnett. After returning to his home state of Ohio, he studied under numerous instructors. His most influential instructor was Master Lester Russaw of Tang Soo Do. Master Russaw also studied Goju Ryu Karate under Seiichi Akamine, and therefore shared this with Grandmaster West as well. He also studied with Benny Provenzano of Chun Kuk Do (Chuck Norris' system) and George Denson in Isshin Ryu. It was George Denson who first recognized the Wae-Kune-Do system as an independent style.Despite all of his experience in the arts, Master West still felt that a void existed in the way that they prepared people for life in today's urban society. In an attempt to fill that void, Master West spent three intense years in his home dojo perfecting what we now know as Wae-Kune-Do Karate, translated as "the art of taking away and creating an illusion." He did this by taking the best of his training and combining it with newly developed, successful techniques for street defense, tournaments and self defense.After over 30 years of hard work, Grandmaster West's system has been recognized throughout the U.S.A and Canada and he was even listed in the 1990’s "Who's Who in the Martial Arts." He has won numerous martial arts championships and holds titles nationally and internationally. Some of his most notable fights were against legends such as Billy Blanks and Chuck Norris. During his creation of Wae-Kune-Do, at any point he could have chosen to wear a 10th Dan as most founders claim, but he never once did so. When he first began teaching his art, he only claimed the rank of 3rd Dan and as the years went on, and as his students grew, he slowly progressed in rank and rightfully so.Grandmaster West did not begin wearing a 5th Dan until his personal instructor came to Steubenville, Ohio from Cleveland to test him. Grandmaster West remained at the rank of 5th Dan until he promoted his student and successor James Parrish to the rank of 3rd Dan in the mid '90s. It was then he assumed the rank of 8th Dan which is the last rank he ever held.

The art of Wae-Kune-Do is governed by the Sakkaku Karate Renmei, an organization founded by current headmaster James Parrish in 2013. As Grandmaster West's highest ranking student and successor, Master Parrish is committed to honoring his teacher's legacy and preserving the art in its purest form. The Sakkaku Karate Renmei serves to uphold the standards of the system and provide all students of Wae-Kune-Do Karate an avenue to further their education as well as connect to the source of their art. The Sakkaku Karate Renmei are the sole governing authorities of the Wae-Kune-Do Karate system, with a direct lineage to the founder, Grandmaster Clarence E. West.

Retired Soke James Parrish

James Parrish began teaching the art formally in 1992 out of the Schiller Recreation Center in Columbus, Ohio, where he still teaches to this day. It was then that Grandmaster West assumed the rank of 8th Dan, which he held until his passing in November of 2008. Grandmaster West was tragically lost when his dojo caught on fire and he ran into the building in an attempt to save a woman living in the apartment upstairs.As the highest ranking student of Grandmaster West, Parrish assumed the position of headmaster of Wae-Kune-Do and the rank of 8th Dan while formally elevating the late Grandmaster West to 10th Dan. Parrish as of this writing holds the rank of 9th Dan. An accomplished martial artist in his own right, Parrish competed heavily on the sport karate circuit amassing numerous titles and championships which helped to spread the Wae-Kune-Do name. In addition to Wae-Kune-Do, Parrish remains an active student of the arts, currently training in Meibukan Goju Ryu and Kodokan Judo to further his experience and knowledge.

Soke Steven Hatfield

Steven Hatfield began studying the art of Wae-Kune-Do Karate under James Parrish in 1999 after moving to Ohio from California. Eventually, he would also study the art directly under Grandmaster West and earn his black belt in the art directly from him. After Grandmaster West's death, Hatfield remained a dedicated student of the art under Parrish, eventually rising to become his highest ranking student with the current rank of 6th Dan. Hatfield credits Wae-Kune-Do Karate with being the primary influence of his martial arts development, and is dedicated to preserving the art in its purest form as taught by Grandmaster West. On November 20, 2015, Hatfield was officially named as the successor by Parrish and designated to take over the system upon the latter's retirement or death. On November 1, 2022, Parrish officially stepped down as headmaster of Wae-Kune-Do Karate and awarded the title of Soke to Hatfield.

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