John "Bill" William Dinan

Bill is survived by his wife Marian Montalbano; children Cathy, Bill (Jeanna), Laura, and Mark (Martha); grandchildren Will (Donna), Maude, Steven, Michael, Laura Kate, Julia, and Mary Elizabeth; siblings Ferdie Dinan (Donna), Margaret Sims (Frank), and Jeanne Hale (Darby) and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents William Alfred Dinan and Mary May Dinan; siblings Mary Lee Osment (Joe), Patti Mobley (Charles); son in law Gary Michael Wolter and grandson Lee Sinclair Dinan.

Bill was born in Monroe County, Illinois, where he attended Saints Peter and Paul School in Waterloo. Following his family’s relocation to Birmingham, Bill graduated from John Carroll Catholic High School in 1950. He served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers from 1951 to 1954 seeing active duty in Korea. Bill married Marian Montalbano in 1954. They resided briefly in Mobile and New Orleans although spent most of their long life together in the Birmingham area.

Bill was a devoted husband, father, and a faithful Catholic. He attended Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church - where he was a founding member – and seldom missed daily mass. He was amiable, appreciated good company, good food, a cold beer, and enjoyed the occasional turn on the dance floor. He made a career in the trucking industry with Ryder/P.I.E. Truck Lines, Mangham Truck & Equipment and others before retirement.

Bill was an avid horseman enjoying time in the arena and in the saddle: on the trail, in countless Christmas and Veterans Day parades and grandchildren’s birthday parties. He was actively involved with the Alabama Arabian Horse Association, Outback Riders Saddle Club, and the horse trails at Oak Mountain State Park - now named the Bill Dinan Equestrian Trails in honor of his work toward trail advocacy, construction and maintenance.

Services will be held Monday, September 23, 2024, beginning at 10:00 a.m. with visitation followed by Rosary and Mass for Christian Burial at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 5514 Double Oak Lane, Birmingham, AL 35242. Graveside service will follow at Southern Heritage Cemetery, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL 35124.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Bill to the Alabama State Parks Foundation for ‘Oak Mountain State Park’ and reference ‘Equestrian Trails.’ To learn more or donate, see https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_b441dee5-0aaf-11e9-9f3d-0aa640fb8062&WidgetId=279552 .

In memory of Bill, all are encouraged to visit often at the park to hike or ride the trails that bear his name or to simply enjoy the beauty of the park as he so often did. For information, see https://www.alapark.com/parks/oak-mountain-state-park/horseback-riding-and-trails .