Since his death in 1994 an annual day has been set aside to remember him which involves the Bill Winfield Children's Competition.

Below are some extracts taken from the leaflet produced especially for this occasion -

From a local newspaper article:

Karate teacher dies

Local karate enthusiasts and their families were stunned by the tragic death of 'Sensei' Bill Winfield on 11th June at the age of 57. Known affectionately as 'Big Boss Man', Bill was loved and respected by members of Chew Magna and Ubley Shotokan Juniors and by countless others in similar clubs in the Bristol area.
A genuinely gifted and inspiring teacher, Bill created a wonderful rapport with his students, who responded to his unique sense of humour and obvious interest in their welfare. Like all outstanding teachers, he demanded high standards and led by example, instilling in particular his own sense of the importance of courteousy and self-discipline and his love of sport and exercise.
Bill confronted the challenge of serious illness with characteristic bravery and unselfishness. He continued to teach, often working through considerable pain. He played tennis and went to Wimbledon. And just two days before his death, though obviously not well, he was there to see how "his kids" got on at the grading in Bristol.
On Monday 18th July the car park at South Bristol Crematorium was full to over flowing 20 minutes before the start of the funeral. It was a measure of the man and his achievements, and an apt indication of the enduring love and respect in which he is held by everyone whose lives he enriched.

Mike Avraamides

The short tribute read by Bob Poynton at Bill's funeral service:

I won't find this easy, but for me it would be unthinkable that a man as great as Bill should take his final farewell of his family, students colleagues and his friends without a few special words being said to help us remember him.

Bill was a great man in the most noble sense. He wasn't great in wealth - and such was his generosity that I doubt if he could ever have been. He wasn't a great athlete - yet he became very skillful as a Karateka and tennis player. He wasn't a great scholar - yet his maturity and worldly wisdom were such that people of all ages and from all walks of life sought his advice and opinion.

Bill's 'greatness' was in the unique way in which he combined all these qualities. Bill was not an extrovert - he was generally uncomfortable in the company of strangers, yet once you broke through that initial shyness, once he relaxed and trusted you, he would treat you like an old friend. However, he was most at home in the company of children. His 'Karate Kids' were friends first and students second. Whenever I came to grade the children, Bill would advise me of the problems of this or that child, problems such as recent illness or traumas - most children got a mention, and at the last grading there were almost 80 of them! When his kids did well, he was so pleased, and conversely, when they did badly he was so despondent. I was able to compliment Bill on an overall improvement in standard at last week's grading, and although he tried to hide his feelings by having a little moan about the ones who had not done well because, to quote Bill, 'the little buggers never listen', I could see he was really pleased.

I've talked a little about some of Bill's qualities, but haven't mentioned one which, until last week, I was unaware he possessed in such profusion, and that is courage. Bill was suffering from terminal cancer, and had known for some time but he chose not to tell anyone. I can only guess why, but knowing Bill, it was because he would not have wished to burden anyone. He went to great lengths to keep us all in the dark. I always loved and admired Bill, and these displays of consideration and courage make me do so even more.

All of us here today are fortunate to have known Bill, and I think I can say for all of us, that we are better people as a result. We went to look for a place for us to go after this service, and when I told one receptionist that we needed room for between 100 and 150 people, she looked suprised and said, 'Was he some kind of celebrity?' I hesitated for a moment before replying, yes. I explained the role he had played in establishing Karate in Bristol and Avon, how he had three clubs with hundreds of members, current and past, and how students of his had gone on to open clubs not only throughout Avon and the West Country, but in other parts of Britain and the World. The more I talked, the more I realised just how much he had done, and that yes, he certainly was a celebrity.

We will all miss you greatly, Bill. You can never be replaced, but you will certainly never be forgotten. For my part I owe you so much, and I will always dedicate part of my thoughts to you, and for your sake, I will try to enjoy life to the full, and try to contribute positively to society.

To quote Shakespeare, 'The evil that men does lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones.' - We will entertain no bad memories of you Bill - there are none worth remembering - but your good name will live with us far into the future.

Thank you Bill
Oss, oni gashi mas.