He served in World War II in the United States Army Counter Intelligence Corps.
He served on the Athens City Council between 1957 and 1960 including a short stint as Mayor Pro Tem in 1960.
In 1992, the university announced the creation of the "Bill Hartman Award" for athletes who had distinguished themselves as alumni with recipients including Fran Tarkenton and Pierre Howard, who held the position of Lieutenant Governor of Georgia.
In this capacity, he coached a number of players including John Kasay, Bucky Dilts, Kevin Butler and Todd Peterson who went on to play in the NFL.
Hartman died of a short illness in Athens the day before his 91st birthday and was buried in that city's Oconee Hill Cemetery.