Create Infinite number of Threads w/unique names, how do I kill/stop one?

Question

I am new to Java, so please excuse my code if it is not moving and profound :0)
I'm just glad it 'works'!! no, really!!
Problem:
I use the below piece of code to create 100's of
timers(threads)..all with different names and different
sleep values.
I need to add the ability to 'kill'/'stop' a specific timer.
How do I reference it?
How do I write the code so I 'kill'/'stop' the right one?
Can I do it based on the timers name?
I am aware that I need to add
while (condition) {
in the run method....I'm just a little
confused about how I change the
condition for a specific thread.
My java code:
1. create a thread (I issue it a name and a 'sleep' time)
2. when the thread wakes up, it:
(a) makes a call to the database and executes a
database procedure (the timer name is passed
in as a variable to the database procedure)
Any help is appreciated!
------1. BEGIN-----Create a new Thread----------------------------------------------
public void StartThread (String thisTimerName, int thisInterval) {
new SimpleThread(thisTimerName, thisInterval).start();
-------1. END----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------2. BEGIN-----Code that creates and starts the new Thread---------------
public SimpleThread(String str, int newInterval ) {
super(str);
Interval = newInterval;
public void run() {
try {       
sleep(Interval);
catch (InterruptedException e) {
TimerName = getName();
insertIntoTimers_Expired(TimerName); //this method makes a connection
//to the db, and calls a database
//procedure passing in the timers name
--------2. END ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Answer 1

warnerja-
first, thanks for a reply!!
Q:
how would I correlate the timer I want to 'kill/stop' with it's assigned 'object reference'?
Say, for example, I create 4 timers:
LindasTimer, 2000
JimsTimer, 43000
SallysTimer, 8000
JimsTimer, 75000
Now, a little while later, I decide I want to 'kill/stop' JimsTimer(75000) before it expires/wakes up from sleep.
Thanks!