Buck Guess was born on August 8, 1913, the son of W. S. Guess, Sr. and Annie Lou Collins Guess. After attending Blackville High School, Buck completed courses in electric welding and auto mechanics and was employed by the Glenn L. Martin Airplane Factory in Baltimore, Maryland. The second World War intervened and Buck was inducted into the US Army Air Force, where he served as an engineer gunner on a B-24 bomber and flew thirty missions over Germany and France. He was awarded four air medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Returning to Blackville after the war ended, Buck began farming. He began restoring antique cars as a hobby, and became well known for his excellent restorations, receiving many car show awards

. Two of Buck’s restored automobiles can be viewed at the Blackville Heritage Museum.

Buck married Arie Virginia Black on July 7, 1949

Arie was the daughter of Lloyd Herman Black an Faucia Still Black. She was a graduate of Columbia College and taught biology, chemistry, and physics at Blackville High School as well as seventh grade science. She later became the high school guidance counselor. She was greatly admired by the students, and many stayed in touch with Arie after she retired. Both Buck and Arie were active in civic affairs and were devoted members of the Blackville United Methodist Church. Arie won a number of awards for her teaching and civic activities. She was given the Wil Lou Gray Outstanding Educator award by Columbia College in 1996. Probably her most notable honor was the Carolinian of the Year award given at a ceremony at the state capitol.     The Arie B. Guess Highway (between Blackville and Hilda) was officially named in her honor on June 8, 2007.