Arthur E. Collins 79, of San Antonio, who had been visiting relatives here three weeks, died about 2:40 p.m. yesterday in a local hospital after a brief illness.

He was a retired building contractor.

The body will be sent to Porter-Loring Funeral Home in San Antonio, where arrangements will be announced.

Survivors include his wife, Clara; a son, H. L. Robison, of Corpus Christi; four daughters, Mrs. J. H. Cave and Mrs. W. T. O'Neal, both of Corpus Christi, Mrs. Ivan Gordon Jr. and Mrs. Billie Alexander, both of San Antonio; two sisters, Mrs. Viola Durst of San Antonio and Mrs. Nina Shipman of Brady; and seven grandchildren.

Cage-Mills Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.