The late Larry W. Benton, Sr., founded Auctions by L W. Benton in
Macon, Georgia, in 1995. His father, William I. Benton, who was the
owner, operator and auctioneer of the Kite Stockyard in Johnson
County, Georgia, introduced Larry to the auction industry at a young
age. After leaving the Army, Larry moved to Macon and went to work
for a finance company and then WCRY Radio as a sales manager. Five
years later, Larry opened the first swimming pool
retail/distributing company between Atlanta and Jacksonville,
Florida. After 28 years as an entrepreneur, he sold Aquaquip, Inc.
to a British company. Unable to sit still in his “retirement”,
however, Larry attended the Missouri Auction School in 1995 and soon
founded his own auction company. While he was known for his
straight-forward and no-nonsense dealings, Larry quickly earned the
reputation as a fair and honest businessman in the auction industry.
Larry W. “Bo” Benton Jr., President, began working with his father
in 1995, while still living in Atlanta. A 1998 graduate of the
University of Georgia with a degree in Agricultural Economics, Bo
went on to attend the Missouri Auction School like his father. In
late 2002, Bo moved to Gray, Georgia, to work full time with his
father. Just a few months later, Larry lost his bout with cancer and
Bo was forced to take over the direction of his father’s company.
In
January of 2004, Bo formed a new corporation, L.W. Benton Company,
Inc., a full service Auction and Real Estate Company. Bo is proud
to be a third generation auctioneer and is fortunate to have earned
the respect of his peers in the auction industry in such a short
amount of time. Under his guidance, the company has expanded and
continues to grow.
L. W. Benton Company, Inc. specializes in Real Estate, Business
Liquidation, Government Surplus, and Estate Auctions. The Company
provides on-site auctions. The Company is located on Gray Highway,
just 5 miles outside of Macon.
In
1998, the company opened its doors to a new era by going online.
Through its website at www.bidderone.com, the company
provides information on upcoming live auctions. Each auction is
also marketed through the National Auctioneers Association, the
Georgia Auctioneers Association, and any other web sites that may be
beneficial for that auction. Since 1995, the company has conducted a broad range of auctions
including real estate, antique, estate, government, automobile,
restaurant, hardware stores, salvage yards and other business
auctions. The company has a proven track record of consistently attracting
qualified buyers and obtaining maximum results for its clients. The
Company has the requisite size and experience to meet the demands of
conducting large auctions, yet it is small enough to give unmatched
personal service while doing small auctions.
We
judge our success by the success of the clients we serve. Our
philosophy is solidly based on offering the best services possible.
The values of honesty and integrity are the most important
characteristics that have made our company successful and help us
continue to grow.
LARRY W. BENTON SR.
Founder
Larry W. Benton Sr. was born, raised and educated in Kite, Georgia. It was in Kite
that Larry was first introduced to the auction industry by his father, who was
the owner, operator and auctioneer of the Kite Stockyard.
While attending South Texas Junior College, Larry decided to join the Army
and was assigned to the Army Security Agency. Larry moved to Macon, Georgia
after completing a tour overseas and went to work at a finance Co.. Later went
to work for WCRY Radio and became sales manager. Five years later, Larry opened
the first swimming pool retail/distributing Co. between Atlanta and Jacksonville
Florida. After 28 years he sold Aquaquip, Inc. to BLN, Inc. a British Company.After selling Aquaquip, Larry attended Missouri Auction School and then
founded Auctions by L. W. Benton in 1995.
Community Activities: Founder & Past President of the Bibb County
Jaycees; Organized the Mayor’s Presidents Club for Mayor Lee Robinson which
was made up of all the presidents and past presidents of all the civic and
service clubs in Macon and Bibb County; ran three city and county campaigns;
recognized as Outstanding Boss of the year, Outstanding Young Man of the year,
Outstanding President of the year; Featured in the Mayor’s Publication, Macon
Magazine, The Macon Telegraph, State and local Jaycees Publication and Bill Boyd’s
new book; Organized an $87,000.00 Auction to buy Automatic External
Defibulators for the Macon/Bibb County Fire Department fire trucks; chaired
fund-raiser and raised $90,000.00 for the Middle Georgia Veteran Memorial
Monument; chaired the Central City Park Renovation Committee; chaired the
building of an Olympic size swimming pool for the Carl Thomas Memorial Boys and
Girls Club; chaired the Cherry Blossom at Central City Park for two years; serve
on the Governmental Affairs Committee/Chamber; served on the Middle Georgia Drug
Council; served as President of the Bibb County Jaycees, The Mayor’s President
Club and the American Cancer Society; served on Board of Directors of the Macon
Jaycees, Bibb County Jaycees, Optimist Club, Exchange Club of Macon, Heart
Association, American Cancer Society; Served as Vice President of the Georgia
Auctioneers Association.
As a member of the National Auctioneers Association, the Georgia Auctioneers
Associations and the Georgia Independent Automobile Dealers Associations, Larry
was a believer in education for auctioneers and attended most of the
Auctioneers Conventions for the Georgia Auctioneers Association, the National
Auctioneer Association, the Winter Seminars sponsored by the National
Auctioneers Association and the continuing educational seminars for the Georgia
Independent Automobile Dealers Associations.
Larry W. Benton Sr. passed away on February 2nd,
2003. His son, Larry W. Benton Jr. "Bo" is proud to be a 3rd
generation Auctioneer and to continue his fathers legacy in the Auction
business.
