Collins D. Thornhill, 87, of Port Arthur, died Monday, May 9, 2011, at Oak Grove Nursing Home in Groves.  Born June 14, 1923, in Brookhaven, Mississippi, to Nettie Voyte Thornhill and John Thornhill and had been a resident of the Port Arthur area since 1948.

Collins served in the United States Coast Guard and was a retired pipe fitter with Texaco after thirty-six years of service.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting and was an avid golfer.

Survivors include his wife of sixty years, Mary Ellen Thornhill of Port Arthur; sons, Larry Collins Thornhill and Mark Craven Thornhill both of Port Arthur; grandchildren, Monica Grace Thornhill and Lyndie Thornhill; great grandson, Ayden Thornhill; sister, Polly Hagen of Brookhaven, Mississippi; sisters-in-law, Connie Davis of Port Arthur and Billie Rose Klein of Austin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and five brothers.

His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 12, 2011, at Broussard’s, 505 12th Street, Nederland with burial to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Groves.  A gathering of his family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at Broussard’s.

Memorial contributions may be made to Odyssey Healthcare of Beaumont, 550 Fannin, Beaumont, Texas 77701.