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Guy was born on 4 June 1939 in Lowestoft, Suffolk, the third child of William (‘Willie’) and Joan Oswald. Baptised John Edward Guy, he was known as ‘Guy’ throughout his life, named after the much-loved husband of Willie’s sister May, the Rt Revd Guy Bullen, the first Anglican bishop in the (then) Anglo-Egyptian Sudan.
After a couple of years as a day boy at Town Close House Preparatory School in Norwich, where Willie was Rector of Holy Trinity Church, Guy went as a boarder to Winchester House School in Brackley and then from 1953 to 1957 to Lancing College (Teme House), West Sussex as an Exhibitioner and then as a Scholar.
After training in the school’s Combined Cadet Force, Guy did his two years of National Service in the army, was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and was based in Singapore for some of that time.
From the army Guy went up to Queens’ College, Cambridge, where he studied Theology, Biblical Hebrew and Arabic for his B.A. degree, gaining first class honours and an M.A. in 1967. He then went on to Ridley Hall, Cambridge to study for ordination in the Church of England. He was ordained Deacon in 1968 and Priest in 1969 in Bristol Cathedral, serving first as a Curate at St Paul’s, Chippenham, with St Peter’s, Langley Burrell. After four years there he moved to Christ Church, Hengrove, Bristol. In 1975 Guy returned to Chippenham as Priest-in-charge of St. Nicholas Hardenhuish and St. Michael & All Angels Kington St Michael, later becoming Team Vicar in 1979.
During this time he met his wife Jane, while she was out walking a friend’s dog. Guy and Jane were married at St. Nicholas church on 5th February 1977 and their daughter Helen was born on 20th March 1980.
In 1982 Guy and his family moved to Great Somerford where Guy was Priest-in-charge of Great and Little Somerford and Seagry. Later the parishes of Corston and Rodbourne were added and in 1986 he became Rector. Along with his responsibility for the five parishes, Guy was also Chairman of the school governors at both Walter Powell primary school in Great Somerford and Seagry primary school.
Guy was devoted to his ministry and to his parishioners. He loved being with people and was hard working, and did his best and to make a difference. He was an inspiration to all he met, and he was admired and respected by the community that he served for those 26 years.
In 2009, at the age of 70, Guy retired and he and Jane moved to Draycot Cerne. Guy continued to take services up until a few years ago; he was regularly requested to take weddings and funerals as well as Sunday services in local churches.
During their time in Great Somerford, Guy and Jane were responsible, with the help of local parishioners, for compiling, printing and distributing a parish magazine each month which itself gave rise to Signpost.
Guy was a wonderful loving and supportive husband to Jane and they recently celebrated 43 years of marriage. Together they enjoyed spending time as a family with Helen and their dog and walking in the Wiltshire countryside. In 2017 Guy and Jane became grandparents to Laik.
Guy enjoyed reading, cycling (in earlier years he took part in the annual church sponsored cycle ride), tennis, swimming and listening to classical music. In his retirement he was also an eager participant at the weekly table tennis club, held in the village hall at Kington Langley.
In recent months Guy had unfortunately become increasingly frail, but that didn’t deter him. However, sadly, in mid February, Guy sustained serious injuries when he fell down the stairs at home, injuries from which he did not recover. He passed away on 19 February in the Trauma Unit at Great Western Hospital.
He was incredibly brave and miraculously he was in no pain. In the week leading up to his death Jane was beside him in hospital day and night.
Guy will be very sorely missed by all who knew him, especially by his family and he will be remembered as a kind, caring man, who had the great ability to put everyone at ease with his reassuring manner, he was always ready and willing to listen and help others.
Guy's funeral took place on 10 March at St. Nicholas church, Hardenhuish.
Jane and Helen