On June 9, Bill Sosa Sensei (founder and director, International Aikido Association) died in Dallas after a short illness. He leaves behind a loving family and many dedicated students, as well as a legacy of martial arts leadership that spanned nearly 40 years.

Sosa Sensei began his Aikido training in the mid-Sixties with Isao Takahashi Sensei and Koichi Tohei Sensei in Chicago. Moving to Dallas in 1972, Sosa Sensei established the Southwestern Aikido Institute and served as chief instructor for 23 years. He affiliated with Rod Kobayashi Sensei of Seidokan Aikido in 1981 and served as a senior instructor for 14 years within that organization.

In 1995, he resigned from Seidokan and founded the International Aikido Association (IAA), which today includes many affiliated dojos located across America and Mexico. In fact, Sosa Sensei has been widely recognized for pioneering the spread of Aikido in Texas, the Southwest and Mexico. His contribution influenced not just the growth within Aikido, but was felt throughout the broader martial arts community.

His book, The Essence of Aikido, is considered a standard in Aikido literature, and The Secrets of Police Aikido was praised by law enforcement professionals for its practical approach to control tactics.

But it was always his students that were his first priority. As Sosa Sensei said himself, seeing his students grow and develop through the practice of Aikido principles was the "most satisfying" of all. As he often reminded us, Aikido is not just a martial art, but a way of life.

It is this wise and committed teacher, mentor, warrior and friend whom we will miss so much.