William Ernest "Ernie" Bean, 71, died on Friday, May 28, 2010, at his residence in Lexington Park, MD.

Born on December 8, 1938, in Beachville, MD , he was the son of the late James Lloyd Bean and Catherine Marie Tennyson.

He was the loving husband of Mary Louise Bean, whom he married on April 15, 1961, in Holy Face Catholic Church, Great Mills, MD.

He is also survived by his daughter, Jennifer Marie and her husband Darrell Mason of California, MD, one grand-daughter, Lillian "Lilly" Kathryn Mason, his brother David Bean of Glen Burnie, MD and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Joseph Edward Bean and James Lloyd "Bud" Bean and his sister Mary Catherine Hale.

Ernie was a life long resident of St. Mary's County and a life long member of St. Michaels Catholic Church, Ridge, MD. Ernie was employed with the St. Mary's County Board of Education Maintenance Department for over 31 years. Upon his retirement, he was employed with Dyncorp, United States Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, MD as a Security Guard for over 14 years.

Ernie had a wonderfully full and interesting life. An avid volunteer, he was a Life Member of the Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad. Ernie was also a member of the Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad and the Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad. He also served as a volunteer for the Outpatient Infusion Center in Leonardtown, MD.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad P.O. Box 456 Ridge, MD 20680 and/or the Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad P.O. Box 339 Lexington Park, MD 20653.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at 10:00 AM in St. Michael's Catholic Church Ridge, MD with Fr. Lee Fangmeyer officiating. Interment will be private. Pallbearers will be Bobby Abell, Emerick Norris, Jack Cullison, Danny Johnson, Fred Lee and Bill Rhodes.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 in St. Michael's Catholic Church Ridge, MD from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with prayers being recited at 7:00 PM, followed by Rescue Squad prayers at 7:10PM.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.