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Last delivery for Harmony postmaster
Harmony Postmaster Benny Ward has retired after 25 years in Iredell County.
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Published: June 16, 2009
Just a couple of days before Benny Ward's last few hours as Harmony postmaster, he was spotted pressure washing the front of the post office and the nearby sidewalks.
Ward, who for 25 years has greeted customers and overseen the Harmony Post Office, spent his last day on the job Monday. He doesn't officially retire until July, but will be taking vacation and unused sick time until then.
"I want to go, but I don't want to go," Ward said Monday as a small group of friends and customers gathered in the lobby at the post office.
"I have mixed feelings," he said. "I'll miss this part," pointing the customer service area, "but I'm not going to miss that computer."
Ward began his career with the post office in April 1972, working as a clerk in Chester, S.C.
Some 14 years later, wanting to move up the ladder, he began looking for a post office that needed a new postmaster.
He said he was familiar with Iredell County because he has family members living here, and so Harmony was the logical choice.
On April 28, 1984, he first stepped into the Harmony Post Office as its new postmaster.
Twenty-five years later, he's watched many of his customers grow up and get married. Now they're bringing their children into the post office.
Harmony Town Board member Patricia Clanton said Ward has witnessed many milestones during his years behind the counter at the post office.
"He's shared births and death, politics and neighborly squabbles," she said. "Most of all you've been a good friend."
Clanton was one of about a half-dozen people who came by Monday to say goodbye to Ward.
Clanton said the crowd would have been larger, but Ward didn't tell anyone until late last week that Monday was his final day.
"I wasn't trying to keep it a secret," he said. H
Ward had planned to retire toward the end of the month, but with his accumulated time, he was eligible to leave sooner than planned.
With short notice, Clanton was still able to spread the word, and to pick out a few parting gifts for Ward — most bearing the color or name of his beloved University of North Carolina.
Clanton presented him with a poster of the 2009 championship basketball team. The Carolina theme continued with a golf towel and set of tees in Carolina blue.
"This is awesome," Ward said.
Clanton also gave him a golfing magazine and a set of golf balls.
"I did get my golf clubs out and hit a bucket of balls the other day," he said.
The presents continued with a couple of gift certificates courtesy of the Town of Harmony.
Mayor John Ray Campbell presented the certificates to Ward, along with a letter from town officials.
"Thank you for a job well done," Campbell said.
Robert Tomlin dropped by to give Ward copies of some photos he shot Monday morning and to give him a frame for the pictures.
Ward said he was thrilled with the send-off he received, and that's one of the reasons, the last day was a tough one.
He said one of the biggest reasons he's enjoyed his years at Harmony is the employees. During his 25 years, he said, there have been a total of four carriers for two of the three routes, and one for the third route.
"These ladies do an excellent job. Dealing with these employees is not stressful," he said. "That's usually the most stressful part of the job."
"It might be that you're a good boss," Clanton added.
Ward said the decision to come to Harmony was a good one.
"This is a really great place to live," he said.
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