Billy Goat Industries announced on July 22 that the company's founder, Bill Coates III, had passed away. Bill was born in Austin, TX, on November 14, 1937. He received his BS at Austin College in Sherman, TX, in 1960 and his MBA from Oklahoma State in 1963. He married Sue Schoeneck in the summer of 1961 and they had four sons. With an SBA loan and a single product, Bill began his venture as a true American entrepreneur, spending 41 years growing the Billy Goat brand into a full line of property cleanup solutions that is sold around the world. Bill was a long-time CRA member and Billy Goat Industries has always been a supporter of CRA's tradeshows. Bill will be greatly missed and CRA sends its condolences to his family.  

Bill attended his first ARA show in 1966 (Washington D.C.) and had always been a quiet and steady voice dedicated to the industry. He served on the ARA Exhibitor Advisory Committee in 2006 and 2007 where his presence was described as dignified and thoughtful. Many will recall Bill as an annual attendee at the ARA show, where Billy Goat products have now become a staple brand. Bill was pleased to receive Rental Vendor of the Year from True Value in 2007 and 2010.

Bill was also an annual participant at the Billy Goat booth at the International Lawn and Garden Expo in Louisville as well as the Green Industry Expo shows before they merged. He was a member of OPEESA (Outdoor Power Equipment and Engine Service Association) and frequented the annual meetings.

Over the years, Bill took countless dealers, vendors and suppliers through the factory and delighted them with perhaps the most unique and memorable office in the industry.

Bill is survived by his wife Sue and their four sons, William Waldron Coates IV of Lee's Summit, MO; Greig Weber Coates of Austin, TX; Jefferson Drew Coates of Lee's Summit, MO; and Travis Edward Coates, MD, of Southlake, TX. In addition, Bill leaves behind four daughters-in-law and 10 grandchildren. Before retiring in June of 2009,  Bill made sure that his vision and principles would persevere. His sons, Will and Drew, now own the company and remain committed to the lawn and garden industry.