William Madison Babbitt, 81, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, died peacefully at Epoch Senior Healthcare of Harwich, Feb. 10, 2007.

He is survived by his wife, Marjorie A. (Jenkins) Babbitt of 58 years. He was the brother of Ray W. Babbitt of Cape Coral, Fla.

He was born in Fairhaven on Nov. 10, 1925, a son of Corey M. and Alice C. Babbitt. He was the class president in 1943, and a three sport, varsity athlete at Barnstable High School. He enlisted in the Navy after graduation. During World War II, he served as a radarman third class, aboard the USS Franklin. A recipient of a Purple Heart, he returned to Hyannis in 1946, for a lifelong commitment to his family, church, and financial careers.

He was a graduate of the Williams College School of Banking. Mr. Babbbitt was a 64-year member of the Hyannis Federated Church. He was a longtime member of the Hyannis Yacht Club.

A passionate commitment to little league and youth hockey in the town of Barnstable was highlighted by his serving as president and board of director of the Kennedy Memorial Youth Hockey League. He was the founder of the KMYHL Invitational Hockey Tournament in 1968.

He was Master of the Fraternal Lodge, AF & AM, of Centerville, and served both as District Deputy Grand Master of the Hyannis 32nd Masonic District of Cape Cod, and the youngest appointed Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. For many years, Mr. Babbitt was a vice-president of Cape Cod Bank and Trust, and retired after 31 years as an administrative assistant at the Hy-Line.

Mr. Babbitt is survived by his three children, Deidre L. and her husband Alan C. Unangst of Chardon, Ohio, David A. and his wife Debra L. Babbitt of Barnstable, and Steven M. Babbitt of Cummaquid, and his friend Linda L. Catalina. He was a loving grandfather to Eric, Kurt, Katrina, Kyle, Nora, Graham, and Agatha; and great-grandfather to Emma, Elisa, and Koen.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Doane, Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 160 W. Main St., Hyannis.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007, at 11 a.m., at the Hyannis Federated Church, Main Street, Hyannis, followed by a burial at the Oak Neck Cemetery, Sea Street, Hyannis.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Scholarship Foundation – Barnstable Youth Hockey Association, PO Box 312, Hyannis, MA 02601.
Published in the Cape Cod Times on 2/12/2007.
http://www.legacy.com/CapeCod/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=86436978