Laurel Walls

Laurel Walls, 89, of Columbus, Indiana, passed away peacefully Sunday, September 20, 2026. He was born July 15, 1937, in Russell Springs, KY, to Chester Walls and Sally Bray. Laurel married Alma on October 6, 1956. They lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, before settling in Columbus.

Laurel was self-employed, owning a heating, cooling, and maintenance business and rental properties. In his youth, he was a boxer. He enjoyed spending time with Alma and his family, his dogs, RV camping, fishing, buying cars, thrift shopping, and growing amazing vegetable gardens. He was a talented singer and guitar player, with a great sense of humor and a gift for storytelling.

He will be remembered for his devotion to God and for being kind, generous, loving, and caring. He lived his life helping others, taking wonderful care of his wife, helping the homeless, charging low rent—and sometimes no rent—to his tenants, and supporting efforts to feed the hungry around the world. He was a great man who will be dearly missed.

Laurel was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Sally; his wife, Alma; his daughter, Anita; and siblings Betty, Virgil, David, and Kenny.

He is survived by his children, Debbie Perez and Charlie Walls; grandchildren Scott Perez, Beth Perez, Tristan Walls, Colton Walls, David Mauk, Nicholas Walls, and Charles Walls Jr.; great-grandchildren Alexander Staggs, Jakob Branum, Isabel Branum, Maia Perez, and Ava Perez; great-great-grandchildren Malcolm Staggs, Jade Branum, Jack Staggs, and June Branum; bonus children Chelsa Pierson and Michael Sexton; and siblings Betty Donaldson, Margaret Oakes, Shirley Hanson, Annie Bennet, Mable Walsh, Butch Walls, and Dean Walls.

Visitation will be 4–8 p.m. Monday, September 28, 2026, at Jewell-Rittman Funeral Home, 3855 25th St., Columbus, IN 47203. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. (CST) Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at Wilson Funeral Home, 391 E. Steve Wariner Dr., Russell Springs, KY 42642, with visitation from 11 a.m. until service time.

Memorial contributions may be made to LeSEA Global Feed the Hungry, 530 E. Ireland Rd., South Bend, IN 46614.