William R. Guy

William R. Guy of North Springfield, Vermont, died Friday, March 23, 2018, peacefully at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. Bill was born Nov. 26, 1939, in Lebanon, Maine, to Eugene N. and Zelma (Nichols) Guy.

Following the death of his father in 1945, he along with his mother and brother moved to Alton, New Hampshire. In 1955 they moved to Chester, Vermont, where Bill graduated from Chester High School in 1958. After graduation he joined the Army Reserves in Chester. In 1962, Bill married Evelyn Crossman at the First Baptist Church in Chester, Vermont.

Bill became a skilled machinist and over the course of the next five years he was employed at Pratt and Whitney, Cone Automatic and Bryant Grinder.

In 1967 Bill became co-owner of Idlenot Family Restaurants with his brother Eugene, then over the course of the next 20 years, they built up a chain of 12 restaurants in Vermont, New Hampshire and New York, later selling to the Friendly’s Corporation in 1986.

He was a member of the Springfield Elks Club and bowled in leagues for more than 30 years at the Plaza Bowl in Springfield.

Bill’s favorite hobby was restoring and driving his classic cars.

Survivors include his wife Evelyn of North Springfield; his son, Douglas, granddaughters Gillian and Grace Guy and their mother, Georgeann Guy, and brother Eugene (Carol ) Guy, all of Springfield, Vermont; also nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday March 31, at First Baptist Church on Main Street in Chester, Vermont.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Springfield Humane Society, 401 Skitchewaug Trail Springfield, VT 05156.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)