Born May 29, 1926 to James and Eula Rafferty in Pittsburg, PA, Thornton passed away on May 14, 2012. He was 85 years old. His family moved around the country doing work. They settled down in the Tri-Cities in 1948. He was a laborer in Laborers Union 348. Thornton and brother Jimmy would work together as much as possible, they were known as the "Rafferty Boys" or "The Boys" to the crews that they worked with. He retired in the 1980's. Thornton never married. Thornton is surpassed in death by his parents, James and Eula Rafferty, brother James and sister Rosilea Jean Casto. He is survived by Martin Casto, brother-in law, niece and husband Laurie and John Weed, and great-nephew Martin LaFayfette Weed. Viewing will be Wednesday, May 16th, 5 to 7:00 p.m., at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home, 14th and Union Street, Kennewick. Graveside services will be held Thursday, May 17th, 10:00 a.m., at Desert Lawn Memorial Park, adjacent to the funeral home.