John William Hallman, Sr. (Johnny) passed away August 16, 2025 at UAB Hospital. Johnny was gifted eleven additional years after a single lung transplant at UAB on July 8th, 2014, allowing him to watch his grandchildren grow and spend precious time with his wife of nearly 55 years, Reda. He was born on March 22, 1952 in Tuscaloosa, AL to Harmon Ganus (Dutch) Hallman and Dorothy Mae Suttles Hallman.
He is survived by his wife Reda Maze Hallman, two sons, John William (Will) Hallman, Jr. of Arab and Wesley Scott Hallman (Christina) of Calera, three grandchildren Kaleb Brock Hallman (Addi) and Lynlee Reece Hallman of Arab and Nathan Booker Hallman of Calera, AL., his brothers, Sonny Hallman (Rita), Steve Hallman (Cathy), Tim Hallman (Cathy) of Arab and a half-sister Lynn Buxton (Jim) of Ohio:brother in law, Warren Maze (Scarlett) Boaz; sisters in law, Sharon A. Maze, Centre, AL. Sharon Friend (John) Hoover, AL, and Neena Oneal (Shannon) Huntsville and a host of nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dutch and Dorothy Hallman, brother David Hallman and brother-in-law Oneal Maze.
Johnny graduated from Arab High School in 1970, attended Snead State Junior College, Jacksonville State University and began working in 1973 at Arab Water Works. During the 1980s, he devoted much of his spare time coaching many youth sports teams. He retired from the Water Works in 1998 and immediately began working for Arab City Schools as Transportation Supervisor. Johnny left the role when his health began to decline and he was listed for a lung transplant. After receiving his transplant, he recovered at home for a couple years before returning to the Transportation Department in a part-time role. He later pursued training to earn his certificate as a bus mechanic. His work involved conducting the monthly safety maintenance bus inspections required by the state and he helped train two mechanics. After his health started to decline once again in March of this year, he ended his tenure June 30th, 2025.
Johnny was dedicated to work, family, friends and his church family at New Canaan Baptist Church where he had been a longtime member. He served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and cemetery caretaker. He found great joy serving the Lord in these roles.
His Water Works job and positions with Arab City Schools, as well as church roles, left him with many lifelong friends for which he was eternally grateful. He received a tremendous outpouring of love, compassion and prayers on his behalf and was told many times in CCU how many friends and family were lifting him up for a good outcome. I’m sure he feels he had the greatest by leaving his health problems and worries behind and gaining his heavenly home. He will be missed greatly by many until we see him again!
Services for Johnny will be Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at New Canaan Baptist Church, Arab, Cullman County. Visitation will be 9:00am until the funeral service begins at 11:00am. Officiating will be Brother Quinton Claborn, Brother Shannon O’Neal and Brother Kenneth Smith. Serving as pallbearers are: Ronald Kelley, Don Kelley, Arthur Dyson, Jimmy Miller, Al Plunkett, Lance Green and Mark Edwards. Honorary pallbearers are: Brother Jerry Burgett, Travis Davies, Stanley Bradley, Wendell Smith and City School bus drivers, both former and present. Interment will be in New Canaan Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers consider donations to Homewood Church of Christ Hospital Apartment Ministry at 265 W. Oxmoor Road, Birmingham, AL 35209 (PH 205-942-5683).
