COLLINS — Mr. Thomas W. “Billy” Abbott, age 60, died Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010, at his home. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. today, Jan. 27, at First Baptist Church of Collins. Visitation will be from noon until 2 today at the church. A visitation will also be held from noon until 1 p.m. Thursday at Glenwood Funeral Home in Port Gibson. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at McBride Cemetery in Jefferson County.

Mr. Abbott was a native of Port Gibson, living in Collins and Taylorsville, Miss., for 37 years. He graduated from Mississippi State University and was active in the MSU Alumni Association.

He had been an employee of Covington County DHS for the past 35 years, having served as the director for many years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Collins and was active in the men’s Sunday school class. He served on the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce and with many other civic groups.

He volunteered and served with numerous service organizations, including the Salvation Army and Relay for Life. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing with his close friend Jimmy Cassell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Babe and Elva Abbott; and his sister, Sallie Abbot Boren and brother-in-law Allen Boren.

He is survived by his nieces, Brenda Boren Roberts and husband Jeff and Debby Boren Grammer and husband Gary of Port Gibson and Becki Boren Stoudt and husband Tom of Asheville, N.C.; and his great-nephews, Jason Cassell of Vicksburg and Allen Cassell of Port Gibson.

The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers be made to McBride Cemetery Association, 5976 McBride Road, Pattison, MS 39144; to First Baptist Church of Collins; or to any charity of your choice.