Bruce Warren Willard, age 66, passed on December 24, 2023 at home with his family. Bruce is predeceased by his father Robert Willard and step-father Ernie Austin. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Willard, his daughters Kristin Zasada (Zach), Natalie Snead (Patrick), Claire Willard and Jessica Willard, four grandchildren, his mother Ann (Austin) McMurren, his brother Randy Willard (Kimberly), and nieces and nephews.

Bruce was born in Denver and grew up in Greeley. He attended Cameron Elementary, Heath Junior High,New Mexico Military Academy, and the Air Force Academy. Bruce was recruited by the Air Force Academy to play football but when told he would never make the tennis team he took on the challenge and excelled. He graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1979 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and completed his active service as a T-38 instructor pilot and continued in the Reserves until 1997. He returned to Greeley in 1987 to work with his step-father Ernie Austin at Austin and Austin Real Estate, helping to build one of Greeley’s finest and Colorado’s oldest multi-generational real estate brokerage firms. Bruce was a real estate quadruple-threat of Residential Realtor, Commercial Realtor, Certified Appraiser, and Managing Broker.

Bruce was well known for his deep intelligence, integrity, work ethic, sharp wit and love for animals, especially dogs. He never complained as his health declined and always replied “everything will be OK” when questioned. He loved golf, wood-working, gardening, tennis, a wide range of music, fly fishing, and reading history- particularly military and U.S. related. Bruce had a tight-knit group of golf buddies that provided camaraderie, many laughs, and the opportunity to temporarily forget about his serious health condition. He maintained long term friendships with fellow Air Force Academy cadets who he held in high esteem. He also cared deeply for everyone at Austin and Austin and was proud of their work and their contributions to the success of the company, and cherished the many shared laughs and great friendships.

He was invaluable to his kids for assistance with math homework, painfully long and detailed instructions on the proper golf and tennis swing, having spirited political discussions, and replaying experiences as an AFA “doolie” at the dinner table imitating upperclassman mealtime harassment “tuck that chin in, shoulders back, cage those eyeballs mister!”. Bruce was infamous for his special bucket hat with fake long grey hair that he once wore to a Middle School parent teacher conference -much to his daughter’s horror- and a blow up T-Rex costume he delightedly wore at the annual Willard Arrowhead Golf Party while shouting into his megaphone, “no cheating!” He had a wonderful, dry sense of humor that stayed with him to the very end and will be missed.

Raised in Eaton, Sarah has a strong appreciation and respect for the people and culture of Northern Colorado. She earned her B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and Management and an emphasis in Real Estate from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Sarah started her career in the music and publishing industry but quickly transitioned to residential and commercial real estate, focusing on property management. Sarah is excited to build long-lasting relationships with her clients through stellar customer service.

Chuck is a fourth generation Greeley resident with 30+ years of real estate experience. He holds the Graduate of the REALTOR® Institute and Certified Residential Specialist designations, and is the past director of the Greeley Area REALTOR® Association. More than 75 percent of Chuck’s business comes from referrals—a testament to his expertise and client-centered approach. Chuck is also the past president of the Union Colony Pioneer Society. He and his family are involved in local sports and community events in Greeley, where they live.

Ted has over 35 years of experience in the real estate business and is one of the partners of Austin & Austin. He specializes in land issues, and is a recognized expert in the areas of water rights, agricultural properties, rural acreages, development properties, land planning and zoning issues. Ted is a graduate of the REALTOR® Institute, belongs to the REALTORS® Land Institute, and has been designated as a Colorado Land Specialist and Certified Residential Specialist. Ted and his family live on and operate their irrigated farm southwest of Eaton.

Born and raised in Eaton, Colorado, Ethan Cozzens comes from a proud fifth-generation family farm, instilling in him the values of hard work, dedication and integrity. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management from Colorado State University, spending the past 20+ years building a successful career in commercial and residential construction in project management roles evolving into a role as General Manager for the Cache La Poudre Management Company. His extensive background in construction and management gives him a keen eye for quality and value in real estate. Ethan is not only a skilled professional but also a devoted husband and father to five boys. He understands the importance of finding the right home for every family and is committed to guiding his clients with honesty, diligence and expertise. Whether you’re buying, selling or investing, Ethan’s experience and work ethic make him the ideal partner in your real estate journey.

Brigitte has lived in Greeley all her life and has had the privilege of watching it grow. She especially enjoys working with first-time homebuyers, but she has experience with a wide variety of real estate, ranging from new construction to classic homes. Count on Brigitte to prioritize your needs and preferences and to be your advocate in any buying or selling transaction. She’s been with Austin & Austin since 2005. Brigitte’s enthusiasm and warm personality always make working with her an enjoyable experience.

Tamra thrives on helping clients with their real estate dreams. She has a business marketing degree from University of Wyoming and utilizes that daily in helping her clients sell their homes. She has been in the real estate industry since 2013, with extensive experience in staging, interior design and transaction coordinating. She’s lived in the Greeley area for more than 20 years, raising her three children with her husband Tom. Call her with any of your real estate questions or needs today.

Raised in Greeley and deeply rooted in the community through my family’s long-standing business, Higgins Hardware, I’ve developed a strong appreciation for the people and values of Greeley and Weld County. I hold a B.S. in Business Finance from the University of Northern Colorado, which laid the foundation for my strategic and client-focused approach in real estate.

Before beginning my real estate career with Austin & Austin, I had the incredible opportunity to play professional basketball across several countries—an experience that taught me adaptability, discipline, and the importance of teamwork.

In addition to helping clients buy and sell homes, I also bring firsthand experience as a real estate investor. Managing my own investment properties has given me a deep understanding of the market from multiple angles, which I use to better guide and advise my clients.

I’m proud to call Greeley home with my daughter, Rachel, and our dog, Marley. When I’m not working with clients, I enjoy coaching youth sports and spending time outdoors.

Wayne Howard’s roots run deep in Weld County. He is a fourth-generation farm boy raised on a farm northeast of Greeley. After farming, he has been involved in Agricultural Finance, Agricultural Appraisal and Real Estate Brokerage combined for over forty-one years. His experience in agricultural production has covered several states and his real estate experience has been honed and specialized in Farm & Ranch Real Estate, rural acreages, water rights and mineral rights. He serves his clients whether buying or selling with dedication, sincerity, honesty and integrity. His motto has been “Service is my attitude, Excellence is my goal, Integrity is my commitment, His glory is my purpose”. Wayne and his wife Kris have been married for over 48 years. They have 3 children and 8 grandchildren. Wayne looks forward to helping you achieve your real estate goals as part of the Austin & Austin Team.

Sue has been a respected Broker Associate since 2000, focusing on service rather than sales numbers. She specializes in new and existing homes on acreages, as well as vacant land. She is passionate about helping clients realize their real estate dreams and provides exceptional personal service. Sue has a Business Administration degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She and her family live in Eaton, where Sue is an area specialist and a participant in community events.

With over 30 years of real estate experience, John has been helping clients turn their property

dreams into reality. A Colorado native and proud U.S. Army veteran, John served as a military

policeman in the Panama Canal Zone during the 1980s. His discipline, integrity, and commitment to

service continue to define his approach to real estate today.

John specializes in agricultural properties, water rights, residential, and 1031 exchanges, offering

deep expertise in these complex transactions. His in-depth knowledge of the Northern Colorado

market—from Longmont to Fort Collins—makes him a valuable resource for buyers and sellers

alike. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or a first-time homebuyer, John takes pride in making the

process as smooth and stress-free as possible.

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One of Natalie’s earliest memories is running down the halls of the Austin & Austin Real Estate offices in her socks — a fitting start for someone whose great-grandfather founded the company in 1903. As a fourth-generation member of the family business and now the proud owner of Austin & Austin, Natalie brings both legacy and passion to her work.

After serving as the office manager for six years, she became a licensed broker in June 2021 and has been helping clients achieve their home buying and selling goals ever since. A Greeley native, Natalie is deeply involved in her community, loves attending live music events, and truly enjoys making friends along the way in her real estate journey.

Natalie lives in Greeley with her husband and their two sons. Known for her warm personality and dedication, she doesn’t just sell homes — she builds lasting friendships along the way.

Born and raised on a farm in Weld County, Dale has been a real estate professional since 2003. He has vast experience in land development, buying and selling land and Colorado water rights. He also worked with governmental agencies in land development and commercial properties. This allows him to help people with residential, commercial, farm, ranch and water needs. He loves to provide his buyers and sellers with an honest and informed experience when buying and selling a home. Married to his wife Lori in 1977, they have a son, Scott and a daughter, Stephanie.

A Weld County native, Anne has been a fixture in Northern Colorado real estate for more than 32 years. She is a graduate of the Realtor Institute and holds the Short Sales and Foreclosures Resource and Master of Real Estate designations. Anne runs Austin & Austin’s satellite office in Ault, and is the recognized expert in Eaton, Ault, Pierce, Nunn, Briggsdale and Grover. Anne and her family live in Ault as well, where they enjoy being part of the tight-knit community.

Anne was named the Best of North Weld County Realtor® by the Greeley Tribune in 2015.