Vital Stats

Born: 1956 in Erie, Pennsylvania

Sibs: 4th of 15 children

Family: Wife -- Gayle; 2 children -- Shellie and Billy Jr.

1975: Became the first Amateur Athletic Union Champion
(a title he would win five times)

1980: Captained the U.S. Karate Team

1982: Inducted into the Karate Hall of Fame

1984: Won the Massachusetts Golden Gloves Champion and Tri-State Golden Gloves Champion of Champions

1988: Moved his family to Los Angeles

1989: Opened his World Training Center in Sherman Oaks, CA