​A couple who were “loved by all” have died within days of one another.

Roy Hewlett died on January 22 at the age of 76, and his wife Betty, 82, died three days later.

Both passed away in Gloucestershire Royal Hospital after long illnesses.

They lived in Hucclecote up until the time of their deaths.

Their son-in-law Mark Dickens paid tribute to the couple

He said: “The love that Roy and Betty shared has never been in doubt throughout their life together.

“Betty always gave Roy her support and over the last few years Roy devoted his life to caring for her, and was an example to us all.

“We will miss him greatly but will remember him fondly. His honesty, kindness, sense of fun and positive attitude were what made him so special and loved by us all.”

Roy was the second son of Frank and Daisy and he had two brothers, Henry and Anthony, and a sister, Jean.

He spent his childhood living in Painswick Road where his father ran the family business, F Hewlett and Sons. He was educated at Matson School and then went on to The Crypt School at the age of 11.

He married his first wife, Margaret, in 1957 and in the 1970s took over the running of the family business.

“It was Roy’s ambition to take over the family sand and gravel business, which had originally belonged to his grandfather,” added Mr Dickens.

“Not only did he run the business, but also spent many a happy hour behind the wheel of a lorry delivering loads whilst singing the words to one of his favourite hymns; Jerusalem.”

Roy and Margaret divorced after 22 years of marriage and he later married Betty, who had been working for him at F Hewlett and Sons.

“Betty and Roy enjoyed coach holidays and came back with tales of the new friends they had made,” said Mr Dickens.

“The Livermead Cliff Hotel at Torquay was a favourite holiday destination. Barbecues in their garden in Green Lane, family Christmases and summer picnics at Lydiard Park are some of the memories the family all share.”

Roy was also a keen rugby fan, supporting Gloucester.

“Roy had a lifelong love of rugby which started when he accompanied his dad who was a firm Gloucester supporter,” said Mr Dickens.

“In fact his father hauled the soil for the old ‘Tump’ where the hospitality boxes stand at the Deans Walk end of the ground.

“Whilst in hospital he said that the professional game has changed from the game that he loved and he would rather watch local rugby.”

He leaves his daughters Sue and Angela, while Betty leaves her children Graham, Marion, Nigel, Ian and David.

They had 15 grandchildren; Johanna, Ruth, Tom, Oliver, Claire, Scott, Rebecca, Ryan, Michael, Brendan, Shaun, Liam, Richard, Jude and Will and two great grandchildren; Thomas and Matthew.