Joseph Wheeler Hallman was born in Town Creek, AL on March 6, 1935 to the late Grady H. Hallman and Artie Elizabeth McCool Hallman. He was the eldest of four children; Sylvia Hallman Bailey, Elizabeth Allen Hallman and Daniel Martin Hallman.

Joseph graduated from Fayette County High School, Fayette, AL in 1953. He was popular and once was voted most handsome in the 10th grade. Joseph was involved with his high school basketball, baseball and football teams and was a trumpet player in the Fayette County High School Band. After high school, Joseph attended Marion Military Institute. After two years at Marion Military Institute, Alabama Senator Sparkman sent a letter to tap Joseph as one of the first cadets for admittance into the newly formed Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO.  Unfortunately, Joe did not pass the required physical at Maxwell Air Force Base due to issues with his depth perception. Joseph in turn enrolled in Mississippi State University to study Aeronautical Engineering. Joe also served in the Mississippi Air Force Reserve.  While at MSU he met a beautiful co-ed named Isolene Edwards. Isolene finished her degree in Business Education with a minor in English in 1958. Joseph graduated with an Aeronautical Engineering degree in 1959. During Joseph's finals, a Boeing Company representative came into his classroom and asked him if he wanted a job.

Joseph and Isolene got married in the Fall of 1958 in Starkville, MS. They soon were expecting their first child, Phyllis, and began their life with a move to Seattle, WA. While in Seattle the couple gave birth to their second daughter, Nancy Jo. After 18 months in Seattle the couple made a transfer to Santa Maria, CA near Vandenburg Air Force base. It was during their stay in California that they began missing their families in the South. The family moved in 1964 to Huntsville, AL where their third child Tim was born in 1965.

In 1972 the Boeing Company was downsizing and transferring employees all over the world. Joe and Isolene decided to purchase an existing music store in 1973 which was located on Meridian Street instead of moving with the Boeing Company. Hallman's Music is now located on Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL. The music store has been operating since 1973 and Joseph was an active owner/manager until approximately six years ago. He always wanted his family in the music business and many of them currently operate Hallman's Music. In 1983 Joe returned to work for the Boeing Company and dropped into the music store after working at Boeing to assist other family members with the end of day duties. Joe officially retired from the Boeing Company in 1993.

Joseph and Isolene loved music and served as band parents while all three of their children participated in band and choral at Davis Hills Jr. High and J.O. Johnson High Schools. Joseph was at one time the Band Booster President at Davis Hills Jr. High. Joe, along with Mr. Tom Winstead and Mr. Ralph Higgins, formed a dance band consisting of all boys from Davis Hills Jr. High in the mid 70's. The group was called "The 13th Hour".  The members were made of exceptionally talented boys to the point that many of the area band directors would want to sit in on gigs if a student was out for any reason. The three fathers accompanied the group to all their gigs. They performed at NCO clubs all over the South as well as other venues. The "13th Hour" gave Joe some of his greatest memories and produced many great musicians and men. Joe also enjoyed working with the Lakewood Baptist Church Men's Softball team as a coach. He and his son Tim, spent a good bit of time at local ballparks for a number of years.

Joseph Hallman was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Isolene Edwards Hallman; his parents, Grady H. Hallman and Artie McCool Hallman, and his little sister, Elizabeth Allen Hallman, and his brother-in-law, Doyce Bailey.

Joseph is survived by his son Timothy Patrick Hallman of Huntsville; Daughter(s), Phyllis H. Peterson (Thomas) of Madison, AL and Nancy Jo Hallman of Huntsville, AL. Three Granddaughters; Jennifer Hallman of Huntsville, AL, Rachel Peterson of Madison, AL and Tori Kellogg of New Market, AL and by one great granddaughter, Kennedie Storey of Huntsville, AL; a brother, Daniel Martin Hallman (Sandra) of Harvest, AL, and a sister, Sylvia H. Bailey of Huntsville, AL, and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are: Tim Hallman, Thomas Peterson, Joseph Scott Hallman, Chris O'Neil, Todd Sweet, Randy Satterfield, and Chris Mardis. Honorary Pallbearers are: David Bailey, Curtis Marshall, Jimmy Norles, Charlie Miller,  Jolly Synder, and John Davis.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to The Alzheimer's Association, The National Cancer Society or to any local music program.