Edward Lee Walls, Sr.

Edward L. Walls, Sr. CWO4 (Ret.) U.S. Army, a lifelong resident of Centreville, Maryland passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Easton Memorial Hospital on Tuesday September 20, 2011 at the age of 74. Ed was born in Roberts, near Price, MD. He spent his childhood hunting, building furniture, and working on farms. In his teens he learned to play fiddle, influenced by his great grandfather, Frank McGinnis, who also played fiddle. He met his wife, Lois McGuire, in second grade and they attended school together, both graduating from Centreville High School in 1954. At the time of Ed’s death, he and his wife had been married for 56 years. Ed attended college at the University of Maryland, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Management. He completed all levels of Engineer Warrant Officer Career Development and attended various specialized training courses such as middle management, refrigeration, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, power generation, grader, and bulldozer operations. He often used his technical training to aid family, friends and neighbors with water and heating-related home emergencies. Ed spent 30 years in the service of his country as a soldier and officer with the United States Army. During this time he served three tours of duty in Viet Nam, two in Korea, and five years at the Pentagon. He was awarded three Bronze Stars and five Commendation Medals. He also taught Military Science at Penn State University in State College, PA. Prior to retiring from the Army, Ed earned the highest peace time medal, The Legion of Merit. He was later employed as the Cecil County Roads Superintendent for three years and the State Park Manager for Fair Hill Natural Resources area for nine years. A building at Fair Hill State Park, “Ed Walls Hall” is named in his honor due to his outstanding record of performance as the park manager. In addition to hunting, Ed’s favorite pastime was playing bluegrass music. Although he could play four different instruments, he most enjoyed playing the banjo. In Viet Nam, he was often called upon to entertain his fellow soldiers and visiting celebrities. He occasionally wrote music and lyrics and composed a song called “Freedom’s Homecoming” that became a family favorite. Locally, Ed founded “The Bay Country Gentleman” 44 years ago with his three sons and a close friend. He performed in venues across the Mid-Atlantic on weekends at festivals, fairs, political events, and fund-raisers. Most of all, he enjoyed picking his banjo and singing with his sons and other local musicians. Ed is survived by his wife, Lois Walls, his children Julia Koenig of Berlin, Linda Roy Walls of Galestown, MD, Ed Walls, Jr. of Cambridge, MD, Mike Walls of Federalsburg, MD and Chris Walls of Catonsville, MD. In addition, he is survived by his son-in-law Henry A. Koenig IV, and his daughters-in-law, Amy, Sue, and Karen Walls, nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. He is preceded in death by parents, William and Amy Walls. Ed enjoyed treasured friendships with many people including his classmates from the Centreville High School class of 1954, his Army buddies, retired law enforcement colleagues, country and bluegrass musicians, Centreville area neighbors, and several protégées. Ed is also survived by many close friends including Scotty MacGlashan, Harold Reece, Mel Adam, Sveinn Storm, Jim Dunmyer, Kurt Babe, Randy House, Bob Sietz, Tommy Neil, Joe Edwards, Bob Faul, Bill Satterfield, Bob Manso, Buddy Mullikin, and his brother-in-law, Billy McGuire. Ed was passionate about community service and volunteered for numerous organizations over the years including the Jaycees, University of Maryland Board of Regents, Queen Anne’s County Fair Committee, Centreville High School Alumni Association, Friends for the Preservation of Church Hill Theater, Kent Youth, and the Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves. While in Viet Nam, Ed volunteered to be Santa Claus at local orphanages. He was a past member of the University of Maryland Academic Council and was listed in “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.” In his final decade, Ed tutored several individuals in banjo playing, assisted 13 disabled veterans in earning benefits, and volunteered hundreds of hours at Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Cecil County. Ed was a quiet hero preferring not to be recognized for the numerous times he came to the aid of his fellow soldiers or his friends and Centreville neighbors. The visitation and funeral of Ed Walls will be held at the Fellows, Helfenbein Funeral Home, Centreville, MD on Monday, September 26, 2011 at 11:00 AM. Friends and family may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 6 – 8 PM. He will be interred at the Maryland Veteran Cemetery, Hurlock, MD with full military honors at 2:00 PM on Monday, September 26, 2011. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice of Queen Anne’s Inc., 205 Comet Drive, Centreville, MD.

Edward Lee Walls, Sr.

September 28, 1936 - September 20, 2011