Gary Vincent Hamilton Jr Im sorry for your loss he was a great man
And a great role model 15th July, 2025
Roy EnglertI don’t remember with precision, but it must have been about 50 years ago that I met Bill. We were fortunate to have him in the Washington Judo Club for several years, including some of his competition career and some of mine. We had memorable randori sessions back then, and memorable conversations back then and on and off for the rest of Bill’s life. He was a good one and will be sorely missed. 14th July, 2025
Bonnie KorteYou were such a good friend through the many years of our Judo careers. It will be treasured. As you always said, "I will be talking to you, dear friend" and we will again in a time to come.16th May, 2025
Parker McCormickI have fond memories of Bill at camp and I’ll miss seeing him there. May he rest in peace.14th May, 2025
Carol RamesBIll was a dedicated teacher and a wonderful, caring person. He taught judo to my son when he was a student at St. Thomas More. The discipline and the art of judo was an invaluable part of his education.
11th May, 2025
Rich Callahan Bill was generous and valuable with his suggestions to me on training , weightlifting and judo at Washington Judo Club in the early 1980’s. I regret that our paths did not cross again. But I took with me and applied his lessons. 11th May, 2025
Paul TarA friend and a mentor who helped guide me down to becoming a better coach, teacher and person. Many memories are held by me as well as my son who he always asked about/checked on. Every time I see a judo mat or video, I think of him and his opinion (or what I believe his opinion would be), which inevitably would give me insight and a chuckle. I will miss you my friend.11th May, 2025
Robert and Sarah BerryOver the too short time that we trained with Bill and Joan at Norwich Judo we came to like and respect both a great deal. After being forced to leave CT, Bill stayed in touch with Robert and formed a friendship that each valued. I will miss my near weekly conversations with Bill greatly.10th May, 2025
Michael DobbsI was not allowed to call Bill ‘Sensei.’ Bill insisted I call him Senpai, and he was. I have not had many mentors over the past 20 years who have made such an impact on my life. I would probably never have taught judo were it not for Bill. He would argue with you just to make you think about things.
Bill, for more than a decade you have promised to save a throw for me. I will still collect it in the future. 10th May, 2025
Liliko OgasawaraMy deepest condolences to you and your family. I have a lot of fun memories of Bill at camp and I think he always enjoyed hanging out at Club Zen. RIP Bill. 9th May, 2025
Maitland RamesSo sorry to hear about Sensei Bill, he was a great coach, and teacher while I was practicing Judo in high school. 8th May, 2025
Joan LoveBill was passionate about teaching judo, from the hundreds of kids he taught in Omaha, Nebraska and Norwich, Connecticut, to the elite players he helped to train, like John Saylor, Jimmy Martin and Robin Takemori. He was strongly influenced by Geoff Gleeson, whom he met in his early years as a coach, and with whom he carried on a correspondence for years.
When he moved to Connecticut, he worked with Sid Kelly to put innovative judo teaching methods into practice in the dojo. He became a mentor to many other instructors, through his efforts with the USJA and the International Judo Camp. He was a positive influence on many judoka, and will be very much missed.8th May, 2025
Lucas MinzyVery sorry for the the loss of Bull sensei. He meant a lot to me and all of his students. He gave me the nickname Lukimata and is still used to this day. Rest easy Bull we will all miss you down here. One more thing Bill . I do walk like you now. Hahaha. 8th May, 2025
James BinghamI am sorry for your loss. 8th May, 2025
David McPartlandVery sorry. He was a big part of my sons growing up. He will be missed.
With Greatest Respects7th May, 2025
Celebrating the life of
William Montgomery
26 Nov 1946 - 30 Apr 2025
Family and friends
William E. Montgomery, 78, passed away on April 30, 2025. Born in 1946 in Bremerton, WA, Bill was the beloved son of Edward and Violet Montgomery, who preceded him in death.
Bill devoted more than six decades to the sport and art of judo—as a competitor, training partner, coach, and mentor. He was part of a foundational era in American judo, training alongside legends like Olympic medalist Jim Br... more
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