2007 Belt Buckle Auction
Belt buckle auction
generates more than $8,000
Dave Bergmeier
Publisher - Editor, The
Abilene Reflector-Chronicle
Published August 07, 2007 9:13 AM CDT
The memory of the late Gerald Roberts was honored in an important way as three
collector items were sold for more than $4,000 Friday night during the annual
Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo belt buckle auction in front of the Harold J. Royer Bandshell.
A shadow box collection was sold for $1,675 to Don Burns. A gallery of enclosed
memorabilia was sold for $1,325 to Shannan Hauser, granddaughter of Roberts.
A scrapbook of collectibles brought $1,100 and was purchased by a buyer who wished
to remain anonymous.
All three of the projects were undertaken by rural Abilene resident Beverly
Willcoxon, who spent many hours as a tribute to the rodeo legend and her only
request was to have the proceeds be earmarked for the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo
committee.
The auction with all of items raised $8,400.
Belt buckles featuring the likeness of Billy Randle and Scott Bankes raised
more than $3,600.
The No. 1 buckle was purchased by Mike Brierton and Brierton Engineering for
$1,000.
The No. 500 buckle as purchased by Marvin Kuntz and Kuntz Drive-In for $400.
Kuntz became a fixture in the bidding process as he purchased the special donated "Dodge
Buckle" provided by the Green Team of Abilene. He bought the special buckle for
$425.
The No. 2 buckle was sold to Susan Bauman of Pueblo, Colo., for $250. The
No. 3 buckle was purchased by Mike Holt and Holt Motors for $440. The Kansas
State University athletic department, represented by Voice of the Wildcats Wyatt
Thompson, purchased the No. 4 buckle for $325. Kuntz re-entered the bidding and
bought the No. 5 buckle for $200. Scott Kohman bought the No. 6 buckle for $125.
Kuntz picked up the No. 7 buckle for $125. The Nos. 8 and 9 buckles were sold
for $100 and $110 to Ron Shivers and Shivers Realty and Randy Ryff, respectively.
The No. 10 bucket was purchased by Leon Kohman for $150.
Also, a racing helmet worn by Emporia native Clint Bowyer was sold for $700
to Gareth Hoffman. The buckle was donated by Jack Daniels, a major rodeo sponsor.
All of the proceeds from the annual belt buckle auction are used for improvement
for future Wild Bill Hickok Rodeos.
Auctioneers were Lynn Langvardt, Allyn Thompson and Ron Shivers.
(click here for more info on Beverly Willcoxon
and the items she donated)
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