Max Eric Thornhill, of Brookhaven, passed away peacefully athome on August 28, 2008, surrounded by his loving family after alengthy battle with cancer.

Max graduated from Columbia High School in Columbia, where hemet his lifelong sweetheart and wife, Bonnie Pierce. Theycelebrated 56 years of marriage on August 24. Max graduated with ageology degree from the University of Texas and after spending twoyears in the U.S. Army, he worked in the oil industry in Tyler,Texas.

In 1957, he and Bonnie moved to Columbia, where he was inbusiness with his father-in-law, Ed Pierce. In 1964, he bought andmanaged the Texaco distributorship in Brookhaven until selling outin 1976. In recent years, Max was involved in oil exploration andreal estate development.

He was a man of many interests and talents. He enjoyedphotography, music, woodworking, traveling, snow skiing and most ofall his family. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Churchwhere he served in many capacities through the years.

He enjoyed singing in the choir and recently took great pleasurein being a bassist in the church orchestra. As a self-taughtmusician, Max was a talented guitarist and has passed his love andpassion for music down to his children and grandchildren. He was aman of integrity, loyalty, laughter and love. His kindness andgenerosity touched many. He will be greatly missed.

Max Thornhill was born on December 4, 1932, to Charles ClaytonThornhill and Gertrude Forbes Thornhill. He is preceded in death byhis parents and infant brother, Charles Clayton Thornhill Jr.

Survivors are his wife, Bonnie Pierce Thornhill; his daughters,Debbie Thornhill Acker and husband, Aaron; Dana Thornhill Simmonsand husband, Robert; Diane Thornhill Irby and husband, Joe; and hiseleven grandchildren and brother, Jerry Thornhill.

Services for Mr. Thornhill are 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 31, atFirst Baptist Church in Brookhaven. Following the service,visitation will be held in the Fellowship Hall at the church.Riverwood Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church RenovationFund or to Gideons International.