William “Bill” Read III, founder of the Kingwood Foxhounds (N.J.), died at his home in Vero Beach, Fla., Nov. 30 after battling lung cancer. He was 75.

Growing up in Orange, N.J., Mr. Read worked for numerous stables as a boy and developed his passion for horses. He joined the New Jersey National Guard when he was 17 and was later transferred to the Army Security Agency. After his discharge from the Army, Mr. Read worked for Equifax. He later founded his own business, General Land Abstract, which became the largest title agency in New Jersey.

After founding the Kingwood Foxhounds in 1962 with Donald Jones, Mr. Read served as joint master for the next eight years. In 1970, the hunt moved to Ringoes, N.J., and was renamed the Amwell Valley Hounds. Mr. Read again served as joint master for the hunt from 1970 to 1984, and again from 1990 to 1995.

During his time as master, Mr. Read developed an outstanding pack of crossbred foxhounds that performed equally well in the field and on the flags at the hound shows. He was one of the first American masters to import English hounds from Capt. Ronnie Wallace, who was the master of the Heythrop.

One of Mr. Read’s successful hounds, Amwell Valley Goodness ’76 (by Amwell Valley Goliath ’72 out of Heathrop Nimble ’70), was the grand champion crossbred hound at the Virginia and Bryn Mawr (Pa.) hound shows.

Throughout his hunting career, Mr. Read remained close with the Essex Foxhounds (N.J.) and hunted with them frequently after stepping down as Amwell Valley’s huntsman. Mr. Read credited his success as a master, huntsman and breeder of foxhounds to Buster Chadwell, Essex huntsman, and Jill Fanning, Essex’s master.

Mr. Read is survived by his wife, Monique H. Read; sons Gunther H. Read, Vero Beach, Fla., Jim Read, Nashville, Tenn., Patrick Read, Hinsdale, Ill., and Jason Read, Ringoes, N.J.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranchers, P.O. Box 2000, Boys Ranch, FL 32064.