William B. Thornton died on March 26, 2005 of complications from emphysema. He was stricken immediately after traveling from his home in Jupiter, Florida to a second home in Vernon, Connecticut.

Red came to Dartmouth from Manchester, Connecticut. At College he was a member of DKE and Sphinx. He was a varsity football player.

He attended the Tuck School but left during his second year to take over his family's business upon the death of his father. The business was sand, gravel, and ready mix concrete. Red operated this business for almost forty years. As an avocation he raced stock cars and for a time owned an interest in a stock car racing track. A prominent figure in the Manchester area, Red served as a trustee or board member of local banks, hospitals and various professional organizations. He sold his business in 1992 and retired to Florida.

He leaves behind his wife, Nancy, two sons and a daughter.