Founded by B.L. Wooley, a nationally prominent auctioneer, Wooley Auctioneers is a second and third-generation family business. Today the company is owned and operated by Brad Wooley, and his son, Bradley. Our roots are deep in Arkansas, and our commitment to the profession has earned us the reputation of being the most trusted name in Arkansas real estate auctions.
Our Auction Story
In 1950, Brad “B.L.” Wooley founded Wooley Auctioneers & Associates. B.L.’s love of auctioneering began when he’d accompany his dad to St. Louis, MO to buy cars at auction for his dad’s used car and wrecking yard business in Pine Bluff, AR.
After attending Western College of Auctioneering in Billings, MT, B.L. was called up to serve his country, but his passion for auctions never faded. B.L. got his inventory from wholesaler friends and sold cigars, yardage, and candy at auctions in flea markets in Southern California where he was stationed. He also began taking consignments from around the flea market, such as used furniture, produce, and small livestock. When B.L. returned home from service, car auctions had begun to start in the area and all of a sudden he was selling the automobile circuit about six days a week.
Life on the road began to get old and B.L. missed his wife and three children, so he decided to open an auction house in his hometown of Pine Bluff. It became a huge success and B.L. began expanding into business liquidations, estate auctions, real estate auctions, and court-ordered auctions, where he caught his “big break.” He was appointed to conduct a federal bankruptcy auction. B.L. was no longer a small-time country auctioneer anymore. He joined the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) and eventually became the youngest president at the time (1966-1967). B.L. worked vigorously to promote the auction profession and later became a member of the NAA Hall Of Fame In 1972.
After B.L. moved the family to Little Rock, AR, the Federal Bankruptcy Judge just happened to buy the house next door and B.L. became the chief auctioneer for the bankruptcy court for years. While making a name for himself, B.L. began to work on a more national level as well as regional. For the next 10 to 15 years B.L. continued to build his brand. Wooley Auctioneers & Associates had some pretty impressive national clients including Textron Leasing, Textron Financial, Ford Motor Credit, Ford Motor Company, and American Motors.
B.L’s son, Brad worked part-time in the family business during high school and summer breaks. Brad joined the firm full-time after high school in 1975. A few years later, Brad attended Forrest Mendenhall School of Auctioneering in Highpoint, NC.
Throughout the years, the family kept busy with local clients in Arkansas as well as national contracts that took them coast to coast. B.L. had conducted auctions in 29 states. The business was thriving all over the country and auction buyers were constantly impressed by the family-owned Arkansas auction company.
In 1980, Brad married wife, Rita, and they now have two children. Rita decided to contribute to the family business in a new way and went to law school to become our in-house attorney.
In 1985, B.L. retired and Brad took over the business. In the early 90s, B.L. became a regular instructor at the Texas Auction Academy (TAA) in Dallas, TX and spoke at many state auctioneers associations and seminars for the NAA. For decades, we stayed busy with liquidations, new and bigger clients, and keeping up with auction education by learning about cutting-edge techniques as they became available.
In 1990, Brad took an opportunity to get involved in the commercial real estate business in Las Vegas. He flew out to Vegas for a week to prospect and list auctions then return a month or two later to conduct the auctions. There, we sold vacant and undeveloped land, subdivisions, office buildings, ranches, luxury homes, condos, and even a heliport.
In 2006, B.L. passed away but his legacy continues to live on in our business to this day.
Brad’s son, Bradley had followed in his own father and grandfather’s footsteps and had the privilege of going to the NAA conventions since he was a little boy. Bradley attended TAA and the Arkansas Institute of Real Estate, in 2008, obtained both licenses. He then joined the family business and has since gotten his real estate brokers’ license and become a champion auctioneer.
In 2009, we joined United Country, a national real estate franchise company. We operated as United Country/Wooley Auctioneers until 2016 and are doing business today as Wooley Auctioneers.
For over 40 years, we conducted our auctions with a microphone, but now we operate our auctions online and thus are able to offer our clients better, more efficient, and cost-effective auction services.
Being a family-owned auction company means you get to work with people you love, and it is truly a wonderful thing. Over the years, our family business has had those closest to us working together, including family, extended family, in-laws, friends, neighbors, students, and even bridge club members. When we’ve needed certain expertise, the professionals we have hired then become just like family.
Today, Wooley Auctioneers is an expert in the auction industry, with our roots firmly planted. Our multi-generation auction company continues to serve our clients with our deep knowledge, strong integrity, and exceptional work ethic.