BOULDER COUNTY
REMEMBERING A BOULDER TREASURE
Bill Goodacre
IN MEMORY OF
Ronald William Goodacre“Bill”
How One Man Built a Real Estate Empire, a Hockey Legacy, and a Community That Will Never Forget Him
Want to live a life with impact?
It’s not about tiles, awards, or accomplishments. The true measure of a life isn’t found in accolades, but in the quiet ways a person lifts others up, changes trajectories, and turns moments into memories. The most remarkable individuals leave a ripple effect that stretches far beyond their years, shaping lives simply by showing up with heart, humor,
and unimaginable generosity. Ronald William “Bill” Goodacre was one of those rare few.
To know Bill was to feel seen, heard, and valued. Born in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, Bill took to hockey like a fish to frozen water, quickly rising to excellence on the ice. His competitive spirit and determination were evident early on—qualities that served him just as well off the rink.
PROOF
He earned a hockey scholarship to Colorado College, where he discovered a lifelong love for the Centennial State and met his future wife, Glenna Maxey. After college, the couple moved to her hometown of Lubbock, Texas, where they welcomed their children, Jill and Tim.
“Dad started his real estate career there in the early 1960s,” recalls Tim. In 1974, the family relocated to Boulder, Colorado—a move that would become the backdrop for Bill’s greatest professional achievements.
Making His Mark
the business in the early ’90s. “Working with my dad was more like being brothers than just father and son. I’d listen to him—and he’d listen to me. But he was always right,” he adds with a laugh.
Bill launched R.W. Goodacre and Company in 1974 after moving to Boulder, enchanted by its natural beauty and thriving hockey community. His timing was golden — the company marked its 50th anniversary in 2024. Known for his honesty, integrity, and unshakable work ethic, Bill became one of the city’s most respected brokers. He navigated the market through highs and lows, including the oil crash of the 1980s, where he closed his office temporarily, only to rebuild it again with unrelenting determination.
His sense of real estate value in Boulder was uncanny.
A remarkable man with immense heart, humor, and hustle, Bill built a legendary real estate legacy in Boulder while touching countless lives along the way.
“His sense of real estate value in Boulder was uncanny,” says Tim. “You could name a property, and he could tell you the exact sale
“He truly cared about every client like they were family,” shares his son, Tim Goodacre, who joined his father in Tim & Bill
Tim, Bill & Joe
price from decades ago. It was like he had a Boulder real estate encyclopedia in his head.”
He was the gold standard. Flexible, kind and steady. He hadalways a smile on his face and made you feel like you mattered.
Longtime friend and fellow real estate professional Joel Ripmaster put it this way:
“Bill really defined Boulder for the longest time—not only in the real estate world but in the culture. He was a culture carrier. Mr. Cool. The guy you looked up to who did all the cool stuff. A great friend, a tough competitor, and one of the most honest, easiest guys to work with in every regard.”
Joel added, “He was the gold standard. Flexible, kind and steady. He always had a smile on his face and made you feel like you mattered.”
But Bill’s brilliance wasn’t just in business — it was in how he made people feel. He gave generously, not through grand gestures, but through direct, personal acts. He would buy homes from clients who needed help
working out a deal. He loaned bikes to buyers who were new to town, supported small business owners during their early days, and helped friends— like Beddi, the family’s longtime house cleaner—navigate immigration and life challenges with quiet financial backing and an open heart. He expected nothing in return.
“It wasn’t about recognition. It was just who he was,” Tim explains. “He believed in helping people directly — it was more effective.”
Karen Libin lived in the same Canadian providence that Bill did. Their paths crossed more than 50 years ago. She still remembers the moment: “I was driving a TR6 with Alberta plates. He introduced himself and said, ‘If you need anything at all, call me.’” Bill became a mentor to her and they went waterskiing every Wednesday for years.
She adds, “Bill was a fabulous guy. Anytime I called him, he would be happy to hear from me. How many people make you feel like that? Everyone adored Bill. There was no one who didn’t like him.”
Daryl Smith, a fellow agent and close friend, reflects, “Bill was legendary! A revered, admired, and trusted colleague in an industry that can be challenging to navigate. He was a consummate professional and a true friend to all who crossed his path. There was never a time you weren’t treated with the highest level of respect and dignity.”
Not only was Bill always sincere and interested in others, but he was always there to lend a hand. “Bill was one of Boulder’s most influential leaders in real estate for decades. And I feel privileged
and honored to have been even a small part of his wide circle of friends. He was one of the ‘good guys’—and I will never forget him,” says Daryl.
Bill was also known for his charm, sharp wit, and colorful personality. His favorite word? Let’s just say it started with “bull” and ended with a smile. He had the first car phone in Boulder, a photographic memory, and a deep love for vintage cars, which he collected, washed (even in the snow), and restored with glee. At last count, he owned more than 60 over the years.
He coached the CU Hockey Club, introduced his son to the sport, and could still lace up his skates into his mid-eighties. “He could skate before he could walk,” Tim laughs — a family legend now accepted as fact. When Tim played on his dad’s line, he remembers how selfless he was: “He always passed. He made everyone else on the ice better.”
A Matchmaker
Even in matchmaking, Bill had a magic touch. He first met Denise as her real estate agent when she moved to town, and true to form, went above and beyond. He took her waterskiing, loaned her a bike, and welcomed her with open-hearted generosity.
“She thought, ‘Who is this man loaning me bikes and being so generous?’” Tim recalls. “She wasn’t used to that, being from Chicago. But that was just Dad. It was an unexplained disorder of extreme generosity,” he jokes. That introduction eventually led to something even more meaningful—Denise would later become Tim’s wife.
“No one disliked Bill Goodacre,” said Denise — and no one’s argued since. Tim recalls walking
around town, constantly hearing, “How’s your dad?” And he liked it.
More Than A Career
Bill didn’t just build a career. He built community. He hosted epic toga parties, summer solstice bashes, and made lifelong friends among Boulder’s real estate and hockey scenes.
Dr. Mike Bentz, a beloved Boulder dentist, owes the roots of his practice— and much more—to Bill. “When I first moved to Boulder, people said, ‘You have to meet Bill Goodacre.’ He helped us buy a home when we had no credit and $100,000 in debt. He co-signed the loan. That gave me the equity I needed to build my practice. He gave me a leg up in life,” says Mike. “He was the most generous man I’ve ever met.”
Paula Bentz, Mike’s wife and former office manager, adds, “Bill Goodacre was like a big brother to me. His eternal optimism was contagious. He always picked up the phone. When
we got married in Hawaii, we found champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries waiting for us at the hotel. I don’t know how he knew. But he always made it his business to find out.”
At his celebration of life, approximately 500 people gathered, which speak volumes of the lives he touched and the joy he spread. In short, his life made a difference. He lived with impact. Potential. Passion. Presence. And that is still felt in Boulder today.
He leaves behind stories — so many stories — and an indelible imprint on the hearts of those lucky enough to know him. Recalling those stories brings smiles to many. Their lives are better because they knew Bill. What greater legacy is there than that?
He died at precisely 4:44 PM—a time that carries deep meaning. According to angel number theory, 444 symbolizes spiritual guidance, protection, and a message of support from one’s guardian
angels. For those who knew Bill, it was a fitting final note from a man who spent his life quietly watching over others.
So raise a glass, crack a joke, or shoot a puck—and when the clock strikes 4:44, take a moment. He’s still with us. Laughing. Guiding. And probably reminding you to buy as much Boulder real estate as you can afford.
Because as always — Bill Goodacre was right.
He didn’t just live in Boulder — he shaped it. With every handshake, every assist, and every story shared by a fire or on the ice, Bill built something lasting. No spotlight needed. Just heart. And for all who knew him, Boulder will always be a little brighter because he was here.
