Company History

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, Auto Auctions, Equipment Auctions and Estate Auctions.  The Company provides on-site auctions and auctions at it’s 18,000 sq. ft. Facility located on Hwy 49, just 8 miles north of downtown 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, online auctions, and their hybrid auction, which is a combination of pre-auction bidding online and a live event.  Each auction is also marketed through the National Auctioneers Association, the Georgia Auctioneers Association, MarkNet Alliance, Auctionzip.com, Global Auction Guide and many 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, equipment, 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.