Orris' crew makes show of support

Bill Orris had a memorable start to his 37th year as a high school football official last Friday night in Algonquin with Jacobs' dramatic 26-24 comeback victory over Prospect.

It was also a chance for Orris and his crew to publicly remember Orris' son Billy, a Palatine High School graduate who was killed Aug. 7 in a motorcycle accident in Hoffman Estates. Orris, umpire Kevin Werner, linesman Don Taylor, line judge Bob Hawkins and back judge Craig Ochoa all wore small patches with "WEO III" on the backs of their hats to honor Billy.

"It was good to be out for the season opener, especially doing an amazing game," said Orris, who also officiates basketball and umpires baseball and is a pastor with his wife Lisa at the Hope Church in Crystal Lake. "There were two moments when I felt overwhelmed by grief as I thought of Billy during the game. I quietly let my grief bursts come out."

Ochoa came up with the idea for the patches and was able to order them through his company that sells printed logos on shirts and other items. Ochoa received approval for the crew to weaer the "WEO III" patches from IHSA Executive Director-Elect Craig Anderson.

The patches were just the latest show of support Orris and his family have received since Billy's death. The Arlington Heights American Legion baseball program and coaches sent a donation to the Billy Orris Memorial Fund at Hope Church in Crystal Lake, which will be used for scholarships for kids who want to attend summer camp.

"I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from my referee and umpire colleagues and so many coaches and players," Orris said of the more than 1,000 people who came to Billy's visitation.

Anyone interested in making a donation to the Billy Orris Memorial Fund can go to http://hopechurchcares.com/NewsEvents.