Butch Soper, a 25-year veteran of the Professional Bowlers Association, beat Walter Ray Williams Jr. 226-210 Saturday to win the 1996 PBA National Championship, his first major title. Soper's sixth career win earned him $30,000 and a three-year exemption into the World Tournament of Champions. Both Soper and Williams struggled during the match, each opening twice. Williams opened with three strikes before leaving the 4-7 in the fourth. Regarded as the best spare shooter on the PBA tour, Williams missed to the right, leaving both pins standing. Soper started with four strikes to take a 21-pin lead. But after watching Williams open, Soper did the same after leaving the 2-4-5 and chopping off only the 4 in the fifth frame. UP NEXT: Greater Detroit Open, Taylor, Mich.