Benjamin Eugene "Gene" Walls, 68, of Waldorf, MD passed away on April 1, 2009 at his home. Born April 26, 1940 in Washington, D.C., he was the son of the late Benjamin Richard Walls and Mary Emma Smith Walls.

Mr. Walls was the owner and operator of Walls Florist, which was established in 1935 as a family business. The business grew flowers and sold to wholesalers until 2008. He was also a dedicated member of the Baden Volunteer fire Department with 44 years of service having served in an elected office for 30 years, 23 years as Assistant Chief. Gene loved being a firefighter, working with flowers, crabbing and relaxing with family and friends.

Gene is survived by his wife, Valerie Ann Walls; sons, Michael Walls (Rhonda) of Waldorf, MD and Mark Walls (Dawn) of Versailles, MO; daughters, Marcia Beitzell (Mark) of Waynesboro, PA and Marysa Dixon (Leo) of Aquasco, MD; brothers, Robert Walls of Palatka, FL and James Douglas Walls of Brandywine, MD; sister, Dolly Dove of Newburg, MD; in-laws, Nancy and Dewey Tarbox; 10 grandchildren, Jessica Walls, Jacob Walls, Alexis Walls, Alyssa Walls, Lindsay Walls, Jonathan Beitzell, Nicholas Beitzell, Sarah Beitzell, Matthew Dixon and Collin Dixon.

Besides his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Wignall Walls.

A celebration of Gene's life was held on Sunday, April 5, 2009 at the Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Rd., Charlotte Hall, MD 20622 where prayers were held at 7:00p.m. by the Rev. Thomas Gude. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11:00a.m. on Monday, April 6, 2009 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Baden, MD. Interment followed at Trinity Memorial Gardens, Waldorf, MD

Pallbearers were members of the Fire Department; Frank Hall, Sean Mersch, Daryl Faustini, Mike Cross, Buzz Sawyer and Shirley Boswell.

Memorial contributions may be made in Gene's name to the Baden Volunteer Fire Department, 16608 Brandywine Rd., Brandywine, MD 20613.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield Echols Funeral Home.