A Brief Biography - ecdearing.com

A Brief Biography

E. C. "Bill" Dearing has had the interesting privilege of living in many parts of the United States.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he has lived at various times in Miami, Saint Louis, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Raleigh, North Carolina, Scottsdale Arizona, San Francisco, and Orange County, California. Although the moves were dictated by business opportunities, they offered him a chance to experience and appreciate different regional cultures. Added to this, he has had the opportunity of actively working in Europe and South America.

His earliest experience with Asian martial arts came at age seventeen via the Marine Corps and their judo black belt instructors of MCRD, Parris Island, SC. Later on, he became what Japanese martial artists refer to as the "uke" or the "loser" in ongoing Regimental hand to hand combat training... an invaluable way to learn!

Following his discharge from the Marine Corps, he moved back to Philadelphia and, on the advice of his former Corp's H-T-H instructor, Dearing sought out Takahiko Ishikawa, then a Kodokan Judo Sichidan (7^th Degree Black Belt) and at the time, the highest ranking judoka in North America. Ishikawa, Sensei was twice the All-Japan Judo Champion who split the title in 1949 with the legendary Kimura who in turn, had defeated Helio Gracie by breaking the Brazilian's elbow in a no holds barred jujitsu match. It is due to the fortune of having such an instructor as well as the formidable stable of competitive judokas of the Philadelphia Judo Club in the beginning judo years that Dearing credits his lifetime love of the martial arts. Today, Ishikawa, Sensei is one of very few authentic Kodokan Kudan (9^th Degree BB) and resides in Japan.

Further study included Shotokan Karate and Kendo, but Dearing always returned to his first interests, judo and jujitsu. The frequent moves brought the side advantage of being able to visit or practice with some excellent teachers and work out with some fantastic budokas. His martial arts resume is listed on a separate document.

Dearing has felt especially fortunate in his work. Business, like his martial arts studies, took a singular priority. As time progressed, he gravitated towards specializing in being part of launch teams that brought new products and services to the market place, in both North and South America. In addition, he has been a board member of various trade organizations as needed and currently serves as the president of the North American Laminate Flooring Association.

Writing evolved as well and his fiction plots are usually influenced by various incidents in the business world, martial arts and other day to day influences. The advantage of extensive business travel certainly adds a welcome and authentic perspective. He is part of a generation of writers. His sister, Deborah Dearing Khayat is an accomplished poet, her latest publication being "Gathered Blooms" (Westview Publishing), which is a celebration of romantic love.

Bill Dearing is married to the former Roula Hadjistilanou of Athens Greece and between them raised five children who in turn have given him the joy of four grandchildren. They live in Aliso Viejo, California where he continues to practice and teach.