Gail Halvorsen

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Gail (Hal) Seymour Halvorsen our husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend, peacefully started his next adventure surrounded by family on February 16, 2022. He is best known as the “The Berlin Candy Bomber”.

Hal was born on October 10, 1920 in Salt Lake City, UT and was raised on small farms in Utah and Idaho where he learned the value of hard work . Hal graduated from Bear River High School and attended Utah State University. He attained a pilot license under the Civilian Pilot Training Program in September 1941 and became a member of the Civil Air Patrol. He joined the Army Air Corps in June 1942 and trained as a fighter pilot with the Royal Air Force in Miami, OK. After training Hal was assigned to transport flying which led him to his adventures in Berlin.
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About three years after the end World War II, the Soviet Union blocked all supplies into the city of West Berlin in an attempt to starve the city and take away their freedom. Hal volunteered to fly in the Berlin Airlift and deliver supplies by air to keep Berlin free. It was in Berlin that he met children by the airport fence at Templehof and handed two sticks of gum to a crowd of thirty. Their humble gratitude was the beginning of a humanitarian service for which he became known as the “Berlin Candy Bomber,” “Uncle Wiggly Wings,”and the “Chocolate Flyer.” His actions changed the course of history. Hearts were softened and prior enemies became close friends. This friendship endures today. He truly demonstrated his love of country and freedom through his military service.
After seven years of long distance courtship because of his military service, Hal married Alta Jolley on April 16, 1949 in Las Vegas, NV and were later sealed in the St George Temple on September 16, 1950, Alta’s twenty-seventh birthday. In 1952 he finished his Bachelor and Masters degrees at the University of Florida in Aeronautical Engineering. Later in his career he was able to return to his beloved Berlin as the Commander of Templehof Air Force Base. Hal retired from the Air Force as a Colonel in 1974. He was the Assistant Dean of Student Life at Brigham Young University from 1976-1986.

Hal is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served as a Stake President, Bishop, High Councilor, and in many other callings. He served three missions with Alta including missions to England and St Petersburg, Russia.

Hal and Alta raised five children: Brad Jolley (Gaylene), Denise (David), Marilyn (Asael), Robert Eric (Allison), and Michael Sherman (Kalleen). Alta passed away unexpectedly January 21, 1999. Hal married Lorraine Pace, his high school sweetheart later that year. Hal is survived by his wife Lorraine, five children, twenty-four grandchildren, and sixty-nine great grandchildren.

He taught us all the importance of attitude, gratitude, and service before self. Hal always demonstrated a positive attitude looking at the bright side of every situation. He always expressed gratitude. Through small acts of kindness we can bring miracles in the lives of others. Hal is a man of action, adventure, and faith. He could not sit still. He always looked for problems to solve and was never afraid to take the bull by the horns and get things done. Hard work and perseverance win no matter what the odds. He loved the outdoors and adventure of any kind. No adventure was too intimidating. As a man of faith he knelt in prayer every night at his bedside, even at the age of 101. He never complained and always expressed gratitude for everyone and everything he came in contact with. We will miss him dearly. The world needs more heroes like Hal.

A viewing will be held Monday, February 21, 2022, from 6:00 -8:00 pm at the Nelson Family Mortuary on 4780 N University Ave. Provo, UT. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 22, 2022, with a viewing from 9:30-10:30 am followed by services beginning at 11:00 am at the Edgemont Stake Center, 303 W 3700 N Provo, UT. A Private Family Graveside Interment will be held at the Provo City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please donate in memory of Gail S. Halvorsen to Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation at spiritoffreedom.org, Gail S Halvorsen Aviation Education Foundation, Primary Children’s Hospital or your favorite children’s charity for his love of children everywhere.