Sheldon Khalil Hansen

Sheldon Khalil Hansen passed away peacefully on July 25, 2026, at the age of 84.

Sheldon was born on April 10, 1942, in Malad City, Idaho, to Khalil Vaughn "K.V." Hansen and Faye Ward Hansen. He spent his early childhood on the family farm, moving with his family to Montpelier, Idaho, around age 10, where his father ran the local Chevrolet dealership. He met his future wife, Carol Marie Wallentine while both attending Montpelier High School, marrying in 1963.

From a young age, Sheldon had a love for speed and flight. He was always drawn to fast cars and airplanes long before he ever got behind the wheel or into a cockpit. That fascination grew into a lifelong passion, where he began flying after joining a flying club while going to college at the University of Utah. He started in the backseat of a J3 Cub and eventually progressed to a twin-engine Cessna 340, while always dreaming bigger, higher and faster. He spent countless hours at the hanger polishing, maintaining, or just hanging out and watching airplanes.

In 1966 he graduated from the University of Utah and he and Carol moved to Brigham City, Utah, where he worked at the family dealership. In 1968, he acquired the Chevrolet dealership in Price, Utah, becoming the youngest General Motors dealer in the country at the time and ran that business for two decades before selling in the mid 1980’s. In 1988 Sheldon and his family moved to Arizona where he built a truck stop. He spent his remaining years managing his businesses and properties while continuing to fly between Arizona, Utah and beyond.

Above all, Sheldon's greatest joy was his family. He and Carol made it a priority to keep everyone together, planning outings, getaways, and trips so there was always something on the calendar for the family to look forward to. Sheldon cherished every moment spent with his five children and their families, enjoying the growing number of grandchildren and the memories made at each gathering. He had a special gift for bringing people together and made sure family connections stayed strong across generations. Sheldon's mother instilled in him a lifelong love and appreciation of music, and he found joy singing in church and with his family. He always had a lifelong love for his dogs, who were constant companions throughout his life. Sheldon also had a gift for finding the positive and the funny in everyday life. He never missed a chance to share a joke or a good laugh with those around him.

Sheldon is preceded in death by his parents, Khalil and Faye Hansen, and is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carol; his five children, Cynthia (Al) of Spanish Fork, Utah, Michelle (Craig) of Hyde Park, Utah, Jeff of Livermore, California, Jason (Tawnya) of Mesa, Arizona, and Jennifer of Mesa, Arizona; and 15 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. His love, kindness, and example will always be remembered and never forgotten.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday August 1, 2026 at 10AM, Arizona / Pacific Time at 745 N Val Vista Dr, Mesa, AZ 85213

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.