UNSUNG HERO
http://www.thesunlink.com/news/2002/january/0128unsunghero.html
Pillar of strength 
By Mindi Davis
For The Sun 

A local man has demonstrated his devotion to Scouting and his religious faith. 
Some people have big ideas, start projects and never finish. Others never even start. 
Bill Ormsby is a different breed. He wanted to do something big, although his idea was simple. 
He wanted to carve a 20-foot totem pole depicting the seven ranks of the Boy Scouts. 
After acquiring a long fir pole, a mallet and chisel he began to carve the pole in his driveway and in his garage. He knew the task would be as enormous as his devotion to the Boy Scouts and his faith. 
Ormsby, who serves as chaplain for the Orca and Sinclair Districts of the Boy Scouts, finished his labor of love eight months later. 

The totem pole now stands at the Scout hall in Tracyton, resplendent with detail. The depth of the carving begins at three-quarters of an inch and increases with each rank. The prestigious rank of Eagle Scout is carved with two-inch deep cuts at the top. 

"Each rank is more difficult to achieve so I wanted the totem pole to reflect that," Ormsby said. 
The Boy Scouts are a way of life for Ormsby. He joined as a child and became an Eagle Scout. His son became an Eagle Scout. Now that his kids are grown, he still remains a faithful scout. 
"There are a lot of bad things out there. If I can keep these kids from getting involved in something bad, I've done something good with my life," Ormsby said. 

Ormsby has added a new dimension to his role as chaplain by becoming a scout ambassador. His other passion is missionary work, which he incorporates with Scouting. He meets other Boy Scout troops while serving on missions. 
Scouts from his district are eager to see the neckerchiefs and patches "Mr. Nose," as he's known, brings back from other countries. The collection includes memorabilia from such places as Thailand, China, Russia, Australia and Malaysia. 

Ormsby also shares stories of helping build and repair far away churches, schools, and orphanages. He's even worked in a leper colony. He connects Scouts with Scouts from foreign countries by distributing their e-mail addresses. 
"Bill may be of one religion, but he respects all of them and teaches that respect to the kids," said Tom Horton, unit Scout commissioner. 

This spring, Ormsby will embark on his 10th short-term mission providing his health will allow it. For the last 10 years he's battled the cancer known as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He has no plans to slow down. 
His devotion to the Boy Scouts was recognized when he received the highest honor, Vigil in the Order of the Arrow, an advanced Scouting order. He received the order humbly. 
Ormsby believes that it's important to do good things without expecting recognition or drawing attention to one's self. It's a lesson he's tried to pass on to Scouts. 

His valuable lesson was learned. The Scout who nominated him as Unsung Hero did so anonymously. 
Mindi Davis is a contributing writer for The Sun. Reach editor JoAnne Marez at (360) 792-9208 or jamarez@thesunlink.com