John William Stewart

John William "Johnny" Stewart passed away at his home in Orange Beach on May 8, 2026 at the age of 82. He was born November 8, 1943 to the late William Lauris Stewart and Barbara Allen Stewart.

Johnny was known by all who knew him for his constant smile, cheerful spirit, and good-hearted nature. He had a gift for making people laugh, loved to kid with those around him, and took genuine joy in brightening someone else’s day.

On October 6, 1968, Johnny married the love of his life, Joan Burnette Stewart, at Gastonburg Methodist Church. Together, they built a life centered around family, hard work, laughter, and love.

Johnny graduated from Wilcox County High School in 1963 and showed his entrepreneurial spirit from a very early age. At just 10 years old, he spent his allowance money to buy goats, which he raised and resold. That early business sense followed him throughout his life. He went on to sell Electrolux vacuum cleaners, where his talent as a salesman quickly became evident, earning nearly every award available to him.

In the 1970s, Johnny began his career in the automobile business at Frank Morris Pontiac. Over the years, he operated several used car lots in Selma, where he became well known for his personality, work ethic, and natural ability to connect with people. Around 20 years ago, he retired to Orange Beach, though “retirement” never truly suited him. He continued working alongside his son, Matt, at Route 98 Automotive, doing what he loved and staying connected with people.

Johnny also proudly served for several years in the Alabama National Guard. Above all else, he loved his family. He was a master at the grill, and his cooking had a way of bringing people together. Whether he was preparing a meal, telling a story, making someone laugh, or offering a kind word, Johnny had a way of making every gathering warmer and every person feel welcome.

In recent years, Johnny attended church at the Flora-Bama, where he found fellowship and community. His joyful spirit, generous heart, and love for family and friends will be remembered by all who were blessed to know him.

He was preceded in death by his son, John Christopher Stewart.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years. Joan Burnette Stewart; son, Matt (Linda) Stewart; grandchildren, Austin (Erin) Smitherman, Madelyn Hayes Stewart; great-grandaughter, Parker Smitherman; brother, Glynn "Duke" (Connie) Stewart and Mike (Nancy) Stewart and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, March 13, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home with Rev. Tom Stacey officiating. Interment will follow at Society Hill Cemetery in Camden. Visitation will begin at the funeral home in Selma at 10:00 a.m., prior to the service.

Pallbearers will be Austin Smitherman, J.J. Shepherd, Jim Forsythe, Charles Golden, Monty Klonaris and Jack Stewart.

The family will accept flowers, or you may consider memorial donations to a charity of your choice in his honor.