On September 30, 2015, Gene "slipped the surly bounds of earth, put out his hand and touched the face of God." Always with his eyes gazing skyward, from the age of 12 Gene knew his heart and soul was encased in the cockpit of an airplane. He was convinced he was never meant to simply reside on this earth, but to soar above it, gazing down on where we mere mortals have to reside most of our days. Never content with the prospects of just being "an Idaho farm kid," Gene worked hard to acquire his Private Pilot's License the day after he was of legal age, and much to the chagrin of his father and mother.
Born on December 12, 1934 to Burtis R. Hall and Leta Hyde, Gene was the oldest of five children, followed by sisters LuRae, Margaret, brothers Reed James Hall and Burnell Hall. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Reed, who died in an Air Force training mission, and former wife Sharon J. Clark, whom he worked with in the St. George LDS Temple.
Gene attended Preston High School in Idaho, BYU, and Utah State Agricultural College, (Utah State), where he added an Aircraft Mechanics license to his private pilot's license. After working as an aircraft mechanic in Ogden, he went to work for Thiokol, interrupted by 4 years in the Army as a mechanic on helicopters, he served both stateside and in Werthiem, Germany. He returned to Thiokol and worked on the Minuteman Missile project, followed by solid fuel Booster Rockets for NASA's Space Shuttle programs. His life was finally capped by a 30 year career flying for United Airlines, starting with the DC-8, and Boeing 720. He earned his Captain stripes on 737's, 757's, and 767's. He never forgave the FAA for the forced retirement at age 60 which prevailed in 1995. He continued flying light airplanes, especially his beloved SuperCub, all over the back country of Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and north into Canada, Alaska and above the Arctic Circle. Health issues forced his grounding in 2005, which he has been mourning ever since. He flew his very last flight on 28 July, of that year, in a plane that he had previously owned, to Logan Cache Airport, recreating the first flight he soloed on, 50 years to the day and hour, ending the career he loved more than life itself.
Gene leaves his wife of 9 years, Barbara Williams Woolley Hall, (a former Western Airlines Stewardess), daughters Debra (Mark) Hawkins, Pam (Dick) Balden, Sue (Andrew) Caprio, Kris Booker, also Jeannine Woolley (Seth) Geeno. Sons, Ken (Pam) Hall, and Michael (Annette) Hall, 21 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Sisters, LuRae Chapman, Margaret (Terry) Spencer, and brother Burnell (Darlene) Hall, and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Gene married Nada Fackrell (later divorced), and Sharon Clark (deceased).
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2015 at the Harrisville 5th Ward (2360 N. 600 w.) at 11:00 a.m., with a viewing held Wednesday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., and from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery in Salt Lake City, (2350 E. 1300 So.)
The family wishes to thank IHC N. Utah Hospice staff and Nursing staff at Crestwood Care, Ogden, for their kindness and care of Gene. They are truly "Administering Angels."
