Bill Thornton

For other people named William Thornton, see William Thornton (disambiguation).

William E. Thornton is an American politician who served as the mayor of San Antonio, Texas from 1995 to 1997.^[1] He succeeded Nelson Wolff and was himself followed by Howard Peak,^[2] after Thornton finished third in his bid for reelection.^[3] Thornton also served as a member of the San Antonio City Council for district 8.^[4] During the 1997 mayoral election, public relations consultant T. J. Connolly defected from Thornton to Peak's campaign and was subsequently reported to the police for stalking Thornton and his wife. The incident was investigated by the police found no basis for the charge. Connolly describes the incident as "a cold, calculated, well-planned political move".^[3] Thornton was a noted proponent for proposals to restore and expand San Antonio's historic center in the area around the Alamo,^[5] as well as a supporter of tax abatements to promote tourism through the construction of new hotels.^[6] His term as mayor was marked by tension between the mayor and members of the city council (including his ultimate successor Howard Peak).^[7]

Dr. Bill Thornton DDS, MSD
Mayor of San Antonio
In office June 1, 1995 – May 31, 1997
Preceded by	Nelson Wolff
Succeeded by	Howard Peak
Member of the San Antonio City Council for the 8th District
In office June 1, 1991 – May 31, 1995
Preceded by	Nelson Wolff
Personal details
Born	Abilene, Texas, U.S.
Residence(s)	New York City, New York
Alma mater	Trinity University

Thornton was born in Abilene, Texas. He moved to San Antonio in 1963 to attend Trinity University. Two years later, he moved to Dallas to attend dental school, before returning to San Antonio in 1972.^[4] He has a doctoral degree in dental surgery from Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry.^[8] Thornton's professional career was as an oral surgeon.^[9] As of October 2015^[update], Thornton and his wife were living in Manhattan.;^{[10] [11]}

References

1. "Former mayor appointed chair of regional mobility authority". San Antonio Business Journal. March 17, 2004. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
2. "Mayors and Alcaldes". City of San Antonio. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
3. Cary, Michael (May 17, 2006). "News: Party lines". San Antonio Current. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
4. "Interview with William E. "Bill" Thornton, 1996". University of Texas at San Antonio, Institute of Texan Cultures Oral History Collection. July 5, 1996. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
5. Michael Kilian, "Battleground: Once Again The Alamo Is The Site Of A Bitter Campaign Waged To Determine Autonomy", Chicago Tribune, April 24, 1995.
6. Char Miller (2012). Deep in the Heart of San Antonio: Land and Life in South Texas. Trinity University Press. p. 172. ISBN 978-1-59534-121-1.
7. Jan Jarboe Russell, "Alamodoomed", Texas Monthly, April 1997.
8. "Perry Reappoints to Regional Mobility Authority". Texas Construction. 18 (6): 71. July 1, 2010.
9. Casey, Rick (July 23, 2000). "Casey: Garza to cut teeth on fluoride fight". San Antonio Express-News. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
10. Hardberger, Phil (October 30, 2015). "A golden voyage ends sailing season". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
11. Velsey, Kim (May 13, 2019). "A Quiet Retirement? No Thanks, They'll Take Herald Square". The New York Times. Retrieved January 2, 2020.