William Babb

William "Bill" Maynard Babb, age 72, died on Friday September 8, 2017, at his home in Abilene, Texas. He was born to Paul and Kathryn (Cooper) Babb on July 2, 1945 in Nashville, TN. He was the oldest of 2 children and has a younger sister that survives him, Kathryn Babb of Blairsville, GA. Bill grew up in Rome, GA and graduated high school from West Rome H.S. in 1963. Then he attended North Georgia College in Dahlonega, GA and then transferred to and graduated from Berry College in Rome, GA with a degree in Math and Physics. Following graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force and went to Officer Training School in San Antonio, TX, and graduated February 1968. Then went to pilot training in Selma, AL and graduated June 1968. He was then stationed in Topeka, KS at Forbes Air Force Base where he met his first wife, Gail Sue (Heather) Babb and they married in September 1970. In September of 1971 he was deployed oversees as a C-130 pilot for the Vietnam war. He was stationed in Tai Chung, Taiwan. There his only child, a daughter, was born in Taipei, Taiwan. deAmbra Michell (Babb) Barrows of Miles City, Montana was born on January 11, 1972. They returned to the States in December of 1972 to Gainesville, Ga and remained a civilian until a "voluntary recall of pilots" in June 1979. At that time, he re-entered the Air Force. During his military service career, he was awarded many medals, decorations and ribbons. To include: Distinguished Flying Cross, Merit Service Medal, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Command Medal, Army Command Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Small Arms Expert Ribbon with Bronze Service Star, Nation Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Air Force Overseas Short Tour, Air Force Training Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Stars, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Republic of Philippines Presidential Unit Citation, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Following his retirement, he lived in Georgia, Kansas and finally Texas where he met and married (February 8, 2013) his second wife, Norma Jean (Harwell) Babb. Along with the above-mentioned family, his survivors include 3 grandsons: Michael V. Richardson, Conagher E. Barrows, and Aidan C. Barrows all of Miles City, MT. He also has 2 step-sons from the marriage to Norma: Robert Hector of Potosi, TX and Gene Hector of Dudley, TX. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday September 13, 2017 at 2:00 pm with a graveside ceremony at the Veteran's Cemetery in Abilene, TX. The family will greet friends along with a viewing on Tuesday September 12 from 5-7pm at the Hamil Family Funeral Home located at 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, TX. In lieu of flowers the family has established an account to help defray cost. Please contact the funeral home for more information. Thank you.