William Babb

William G. Babb BABB - William G., Services are scheduled Thursday for William G. (Bill) Babb, known among University of Tulsa coaches, players and fans as possibly the most dedicated fan of Golden Hurricane athletics. Babb died early Monday after a lengthy battle against cancer. He was 64. Babb followed all of TU's men's and women's sports teams, but his first love was football. He seldom missed a game, home or away, and was on the sidelines at most Hurricane practices. He was a friend and mentor to many TU players. Babb also was a message board moderator and columnist, under the Internet handle "Catbird," on a Hurricane fans' Web site, InsideTulsaSports.com. During the Hurricane's first spring football practice last month, head Coach Todd Graham called a timeout, gathered the team at the 50 yard line and honored Babb, who he called "Mr. Tulsa." Graham said TU players' helmets would carry the initials "BB" next season in honor of Babb. Babb was a performer for more than 25 years in the annual Tulsa Press Club Gridiron, a satirical roast of politics and politicians. He directed the show in 2005. He was active in his church, Trinity Episcopal. Babb was born July 25, 1943 in Northfield, MN, and as a military brat lived in Enid, OK, Winthrop, MN and Cannon Falls, MN, before graduating high school in Mankato, MN. He attended the University of Minnesota and Mankato State University. He married Cynthia Ann Cutts (Abboud) on May 30, 1964, and they had 3 children. They were divorced in 1982. Babb came to Tulsa in 1977, working as public relations manager and executive director of marketing for the United States Jaycees. He later worked as program manager for the Hugh O'Brien Youth Foundation in Los Angeles, as start-up general manager of Cellular One in Tulsa and Huntsville, AL. He also worked for Cellular, Inc., in Billings, MT. He worked for QuikTrip in Tulsa from 1991-2003, including story manager from 1989 on. He was preceded in death by: his father, Paul D. Babb, and mother, Katherine C. Babb. He is survived by: his daughter, Nicole J. Tisue, of Redwood Falls,MN; son, Paul D. Babb of Sand Springs; daughter, Rebecca L. deSonnaville, of Jenks; 2 brothers, Dr. Daniel P. Babb of Huntington, WV and Douglas J. Babb, of Ft. Smith, AR; and 8 grandchildren. Visitation is 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday (May 7) at Ninde Brookside Funeral Home, 3841 S. Peoria Ave. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, (May 8) at Trinity Episcopal Church. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the University of Tulsa athletic scholarship fund.