Copper Hill Postmaster retiring

By Wanda Combs
The Floyd Press
Published: May 1, 2008

When William L. “Billy” Mullins started his career with the postal service, he was out on the mail route, as a substitute rural carrier. That was 30 years ago, and when Mullins retires May 2, he will be leaving as postmaster.

The Copper Hill Postmaster says he will miss the people the most. “Basically everywhere I’ve worked, I’ve made friends. But I will still see them, maybe even more.”
Mullins, who lives in Callaway, was first employed at the Ferrum Post Office, where he began working as a rural carrier in 1978. In May, 1982, he switched to a clerk’s position and worked at that job until November, 1997.

His first postmaster position was at the Eggleston Post Office in Giles County. During the two years he worked there, he had the longest commute of his career. “It was 62 miles one way, 1 hour and 20 minutes. That was before the new roads.”

In 1999 Mullins took the postmaster’s job at the Union Hall Post Office on Smith Mountain Lake and stayed there until he accepted the Copper Hill job. His first day at the Copper Hill Post Office, which is closer to home, only a 14-mile, 20-minute drive, was March 21, 2003.

During his career Mullins has also worked as an Officer In Charge (OIC) in various post offices.

“Everybody’s the same everywhere,” Mullins remarks, but adds with getting settled in new locations, there are names and faces to learn.

The post offices have undergone changes during his career, too, but he says the greatest ones have come in the last three years. “When I started in 1978, the most technology we had was the telephone….(Now) everything has become computerized. Automation has really taken over the last few years.” He says that while automation has eliminated jobs, it has also increased productivity – “it’s moving mail faster with less people.”

Mullins has been living in Callaway since 1976, and he says he likes that area. He and his wife Susan, payroll supervisor for the Branch group in Roanoke, have three daughters and one grandson. They have a farm with Angus cows. Right now, farming is more of a “hobby” for him, he comments, and he would like for it to stay that way. He also enjoys going to bluegrass festivals around the state, and has bought a camper that might inspire other travels during retirement. He also likes golf and camping. He is a deacon and is active in his church, Piedmont Presbyterian in Callaway.

The Copper Hill Post Office handles 1,250 deliveries and has two routes, carried by Pat Altis (Route 1) and Cathy Hall (Route 2). The postmaster replacement in the office is Debbie Munzing.

After Mullins’ retirement, Mike Agee, an OIC, will work at the Copper Hill Post Office for several months.

Last Friday, Mullins was saying he would probably find plenty to do when he retires. “I’ve got a lot of chores laid back, and I’ll get some of those caught up.”