Wilhite retires from Post Office

Blane Wilhite (right) and local letter carrier Scott Brown with the framed print he received at his retirement party recently at the Piggott Post Office. (photo provided) [Click to enlarge]

"I just love Piggott, and I loved working here," Wilhite noted of his years on the streets of the city. "It's the people that I will miss...they always made me feel so welcome. I've watched kids grow up from babbling little babies to folks that have kids of their own. I've really enjoyed it and my time here."

Wilhite, a native of Holcomb, came to Piggott after marrying a local girl who had also taken a job with the Postal Service. Charlotte Wilhite continues to serve and currently is the Postmaster at White Oak, Mo.

Blane admits there have been changes over the years.

"when I went to work, a first class stamp cost 23 cents. About the time I retired they went to 44 cents each."

The longtime carrier also noted how much he will miss his co-workers at the Piggott Post Office. "It was a pleasure just working with these people. I'll miss them. They are a wonderful bunch of people."

At his retirement gathering, former co-workers presented Wilhite with a framed print which depicted a letter carrier and a very large dog. The inscription read, "Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat nor gloom of night stays these carriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds...oh yes...and DOGS...did me mention dogs?

Wilhite, a former part-time columnist for The Piggott Times, also has indicated he may find more time to write in the near future and added he has dozens of stories about his times as a letter carrier in Piggott.