In Loving Memory
Guy Wilson Staples
August 29, 1953 – November 22, 2025
Guy Staples passed away peacefully on November 22, 2025, at Clark Retirement Community, with his wife Laura by his side. He was 72 years old.
Born in Oak Park IL, Guy was the son of the late Lynn and Virginia (Spray) Staples. Raised in Saginaw, MI, he graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1971, where he served as Senior Class President.
After attending the University of Colorado, he later became a volunteer firefighter in Northern California. Guy returned home to MI and in 1981 began a successful career in the securities industry as a Financial Advisor at Roney & Co., a regional firm. There he became a General Partner and Manager of the firm’s Grand Rapids office.
In 1999 Guy joined Wachovia Securities which later became Wells Fargo Advisors. Guy held the firm’s Private Investment Manager designation for customized portfolio management as well as the title of Senior Vice President-Investments. He was known for his investment savvy and admired for his dedication to his clients.
Guy retired in 2017 after suffering a severe brain stem stroke. He fought a courageous battle for nearly nine years after.
Relaxation from his busy schedule came from time with his wife and family, fly fishing, and pheasant hunting with his yellow lab Hunter. Guy loved music, especially Van Morrison, as well as reading, backgammon, and jigsaw puzzles.
Guy will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and friend. He was cherished for his sincere interest in others, his warm smile, and his quick wit. He often quoted Yeats, “Strangers are friends we haven’t met yet”.
Simply stated, Guy was quite a guy.
He will be deeply missed by his wife of 18 years, Laura. His children, Tyler Staples, Harrison Staples (partner MaryAnne Saladino), Olivia (Sean) Faulkner, Brent (Jennifer) Verlin; granddaughter, Ellasyn Verlin; sister, Nancy (Nick) Volosin; sisters-in-law, Susan Staples, Lisa (John) Mitchell, Lynne Marr; brother-in-law, Joel Markucki; as well as many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews.
Guy was preceded in death by his parents, Lynn and Virginia Staples; his brothers, Mark W. Staples Sr and Stephen J Staples; his brother-in-law, Stephen Markucki.
We are profoundly thankful to the in-home caregivers, therapists at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, and loving staff at Clark Retirement Community (Franklin campus) for the care and support they provided in Guy’s life.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Watermark Country Club, 1600 Galbraith Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 from 3-7pm.
Please honor Guy’s memory by sending donations to:
Clark Retirement Community Benevolent Fund
Mary Free Bed Foundation
6 Responses
Such a warm and wonderful person. Rest in Peace, Guy. Sending our deepest sympathies to Laura and all the family.
Love, Mary and Steve
We will deeply miss his friendship, sage advice and sterling sense of humor. Guy was indeed “quite a Guy.”
Feeling brother Guy’s wonderful, kind, and warm presence. What a gift he was to our family in every possible way. Pure love and unselfishness. What peace he must be enjoying now…Praise God…sending much love always to Laura. Nick and Nancy
Guy was always so friendly, positive and upbeat. He will truly be missed. Sending our prayers and best wishes for Laura and the rest of the family.
Guy was our trusted investment advisor for years but more than that, was a great friend. He was an attentive listen, something that is rare, and alway had the clients’ best interests at hand. He was dealt a hard road with his stong, but he kept his positive attitude always. Nancy and my heart goes out to Laura, his steadfast partner and Guy. May he rest in pieced, Stan Sleight
I remember the first time Uncle Guy came to visit our family in Exeter when I was about five years old. He was so kind and gentle and I always recalled that feeling he gave from our first meeting. In all of the years afterwards at the Staples reunions, Guy was consistently loving and sweet and often near a jigsaw puzzle. The warmth of family and a puzzle is probably where I developed a love for them myself! I am sending love and peace to all of the family and friends who know and love Guy.