Max Eric Thornhill, of Brookhaven, passed away peacefully athome on Aug. 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 Aug. 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 andtalents. He enjoyed photography, music, woodworking, traveling,snow skiing and most of all his family. He was a faithful member ofFirst Baptist Church where he served in many capacities through theyears. He enjoyed singing in the choir and recently took greatpleasure in being a bassist in the church orchestra. As aself-taught musician, Max, was a talented guitarist and has passedhis love and passion for music down to his children andgrandchildren. He was a man of integrity, loyalty, laughter andlove. His kindness and generosity touched many. He will be greatlymissed.

Services for Mr. Thornhill are 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, at FirstBaptist Church in Brookhaven. Following the service visitation willbe held in fellowship hall at the church. Riverwood Family FuneralService is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Thornhill, 75, died Aug. 28, 2008, at his residence. He wasborn on Dec. 4, 1932, to Clayton Thornhill and Gertrude ForbesThornhill.

Max is preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors are his wife, Bonnie Pierce Thornhill; his daughters,Debbie Thornhill Acker, Dana Thornhill Simmons and Diane ThornhillIrby; and his 11 grandchildren.

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