David Allen Hall, “Dave”, 80, of Nolensville, Tennessee, passed away on October 1, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee, leaving behind a family who adored him, friends who counted on him,and a remarkable number of people who considered themselves lucky simply to have known him.

Dave was born on May 14, 1946, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Melvin and Violet Hall and grew up in Cloquet, Minnesota. There, he met Nancy, the woman with whom he would build a life spanning nearly six decades. Dave and Nancy were married for 59 years and made their home in many places along the way—from Minnesota to California and eventually Tennessee—but wherever they lived, family remained at the center of Dave's life.

A 1964 graduate of Cloquet High School, Dave later earned his bachelor's degree. He served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. His connection to fellow veterans remained important to him throughout his life, and in Tennessee he was an active member of his local veterans chapter, attending meetings and participating in its annual antique car show.

Dave built a long and respected career as an architectural draftsman and bridge designer, working for both the California Department of Transportation and the Minnesota Department of Transportation. His work can still be seen in bridges throughout California and Minnesota—a fitting legacy for a man who believed deeply in building things carefully and doing things the right way. Professionally, he was known not only for his skill and attention to detail, but also for generously sharing what he knew. Colleagues sought out his knowledge and experience, and he readily mentored those around him. When he retired from the State of Minnesota in 2014, he left behind coworkers who respected his work and, perhaps even more importantly, genuinely loved the man who did it.

That was true almost everywhere Dave went.

He had an extraordinary mind and an endless curiosity about the world. Nancy often described him as a walking encyclopedia. 

He especially loved antique cars and trucks. In recent years, he spent some of his favorite Saturdays driving his 1970 F100 pickup to car shows with his son, Shane, or heading to the local farmers market, where the vendors became friends.

That was Dave. He could talk to anybody, and people wanted to talk to him. 

He loved back roads and road trips and rarely saw many reasons to fly somewhere when a perfectly good stretch of highway could take you there. He loved blended coffee, root beer and ice cream; old Westerns, country music, and shows like M*A*S*H and Home Improvement. He loved his old canoe and fishing trips with friends. He loved baseball and played softball himself well into his seventies. He laughed easily, had a quick-witted response for almost anything, and never passed an old car or truck without stopping to look at it—or talk about it.

But the things Dave loved most weren't things at all.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, son and friend. He cared for Nancy in a thousand quiet, often invisible ways throughout their 59 years together. As a father, and later as a grandfather, he showed his love by showing up. Performances, games, graduations, ordinary afternoons and important milestones—if his family was there, Dave wanted to be there too. If someone called because they needed help, inconvenience rarely factored in. He simply came.

Dave was a man of faith, a trusted neighbor and a loyal friend. His church small group, fellow veterans, coworkers, farmers-market friends, and neighbors all knew some version of the same man his family knew: kind, dependable, funny, curious, and generous with his time. Though he wasn't a man given to grand displays of emotion, no one who knew Dave ever had to wonder whether he cared. His love was something you could feel simply by being in the room with him.

Dave is survived by his wife of 59 years, Nancy Hall; his son, Shane Hall, and wife Cheree; his daughter, Bobbi Gregory (Hall); his grandchildren, Kylie Hall, Jake Hall and wife Bailey, Taylor Gregory and Kate Gregory; his great-grandson, Jaxon Hall; and his brother, Bruce Hall, and wife Maggie of New Mexico. He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Violet Hall.

A memorial service celebrating Dave's life will be held Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Rolling Hills Community Church in Nolensville, Tennessee.

Graveside military rights will be at a later date at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Duluth.

Dave leaves behind more than a lifetime of accomplishments. He leaves behind bridges bearing evidence of his careful work, a family shaped by his steady presence, friends who knew they could count on him, and countless people whose lives were made a little better because Dave Hall crossed their path.

He showed up. He loved well. And he will be dearly missed.

Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the Hall family.   Condolenance may be shared at www.williamsfh.com