Sad to say, "Bill" is dead in real life.  Was it the "5 point open palm exploding heart technique" that got him? Nope, not likely.

He helped make zen popular in american culture with the tv show in the 70s, turning the classic western into a martial arts feature.  How much difference will that make as US direction shifts away from consumption/quantity towards quality of life, a zen measurement of cultural progress.  Incalculable. The great John Carradine appeared in the tv show too.

More to follow as news progresses.