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We are  honored to present the lifetime collection of William “Bill” Kinder and Jo Williams Kinder, longtime residents of Rural Retreat, Virginia. This special auction offers a glimpse into a lifetime of hard work, craftsmanship, and community involvement. Bill Kinder was a lifelong resident of Rural Retreat, leaving home only briefly to proudly serve his country as a member of the United States Air Force. After returning from service, he met Jo Williams, who had moved to Rural Retreat from Comers Rock in Grayson County to pursue her career as a teacher. Together they built their family home in 1957, where they remained for the rest of their lives. Known affectionately throughout the community as “Mr. Hardware,” Bill spent his career working in the hardware business, first at The Rural Retreat Vance Company, then AGCO Structures Hardware, and finally at Harpo's Hardware—where he eventually retired.  Outside of work, he was a One-time Minor League Baseball Player, Rural Retreat Volunteer Firefighter as well as an avid hunter, fisherman, and skilled carpenter who enjoyed creating pieces by hand in his spare time. Jo Kinder also built a respected career in the community, working for many years teaching at Rural Retreat High School, then as a bookkeeper for Gammon's Department Store before later retiring as a bank teller. Various items come from the collections of Jo's parents' country store, the Comers Rock General Store, as well as the Rural Retreat Vance Company Hardware Store.  This auction celebrates the life and interests of Bill and Jo Kinder and features a diverse collection of items reflecting their passions and professions.  Highlights from the collection include: • Archery equipment, including bows and arrows from Bill’s years enjoying the outdoors. • An impressive assortment of vintage advertising signs and store displays from Harpo’s Hardware and related brands, including a Snow Goose Flour advertising thermometer, Pepsi bottle-cap sign, John Deere sign, and numerous Winchester advertisements and posters. • Handcrafted wood art created by Bill Kinder, including hand-carved animal wall hangings, wood-burned artwork, picture frames, and handcrafted walking sticks and canes made from yew and lilac harvested on the property. Bill also built the picnic table included in this sale. • A fascinating collection of local ephemera and hardware store memorabilia, reflecting Bill’s lifelong interest in preserving pieces of local commercial history. • A large assortment of vintage toys and games, including Tonka toys, a Marx Magic Shot Shooting Gallery, Lincoln Logs, Lite-Brite, vintage board games, Hot Wheels, model airplanes, and even a handcrafted barn built by Bill himself. • Additional notable items include handmade stools crafted by Rural Retreta Lutheran Parish Pastor Albert Shumate who married Jo and Bill over 70 years ago, a Stanley King Land Auction Co. promotional poster, vintage Coleman camping gear, a Remington ammunition display case, a vintage Dexter wringer washer, mid-century modern Virden light fixtures, and quality Vaughan bedroom furniture. This collection offers something for everyone—from collectors of vintage advertising and sporting memorabilia to enthusiasts of handcrafted folk art, antique toys, and mid-century home furnishings. We invite you to explore this remarkable collection and celebrate the life and legacy of Bill and Jo Kinder.  

PREVIEW BY APPOINTMENT ONLY - Call 540-250-2964 to schedule. A unique opportunity within the Roanoke City limits. Highlighted by a versatile, 2,100 sq. ft., four-bay metal detached garage. The garage features four electric bay doors and a fully lighted, open floor plan. Perfect for storage of your classic car collection, private auto repair or storage. The dwelling on the property is in need of extensive repair/remodel and may even be a candidate to be razed and rebuilt. THE HIGHEST ONLINE BID IS NOT THE WINNING BIDDER. THIS AUCTION IS BEING CONDUCTED WITH A RESERVE AND THE SELLER HAS THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT OR REJECT THE HIGHEST BID.  THE HIGHEST ONLINE BID WILL BE PRESENTED AT THE LIVE AUCTION ON MARCH 31 at 1:00PM. BIDS WILL BE ACCEPTED ONLINE UNTIL 1:00 PM ON MARCH 27. HIGHEST ONLINE BIDDER MAY ATTEND LIVE AUCTION AND CONTINUE TO BID OR BID VIA PHONE. 

In this small but mighty auction, you’ll discover an impressive lineup of quality assets and timeless furnishings, thoughtfully curated to offer something for every bidder. Highlights include a Rural King RK24 Series tractor equipped with an L75 quick-attach front loader and 60" mowing deck—ideal for property maintenance—as well as a Polaris Sportsman Touring 800 Twin On-Demand AWD four-wheeler, delivering both power and versatility for outdoor enthusiasts. Inside the home, you’ll find a selection of well-crafted furnishings, including an oak dining table with chairs, an oak china hutch, a four-poster queen bed, and comfortable seating options such as a power lift recliner and double reclining sofa. Collectors and decorators alike will appreciate the charm of Hall vintage delphinium blue covered dishes (made for Montgomery Ward), a Fire-King jadeite batter bowl, classic oil lamps, and elegant French Louis XV-style needlepoint armchairs. Outdoor living is equally represented with cast metal bistro sets, perfect for patio or garden settings. Rounding out the offering are dependable Stihl brush cutters, hedge trimmers, and a leaf blower, along with a variety of home décor, tools, and additional surprises throughout the catalog. This auction may be compact in size—but it is rich in quality, character, and opportunity.