Springfield Postmaster Bill Brayman to Retire July 31

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Springfield Postmaster William "Bill" Brayman will retire at the end of this month.

Brayman began his 31-year U.S. Postal Service career in Lincoln, Nebraska.

"I look forward to future plans that include more time with family and friends," he said in a statement Friday.

Brayman began his postal career as a part-time letter sorting machine operator in 1980. In 1982, he was selected as a USPS management trainee, and continued to serve in positions of increasing responsibility through the years.

He was named Springfield Postmaster in 2001.

Brayman is a graduate of the University of Nebraska, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He also earned an MBA at Springfield's Missouri State University. He is married with two daughters.

Michael Darling will serve as Springfield's officer-in-charge (acting Postmaster). Darling is currently the Post Office Operations manager for the 654, 655 and 656/657 ZIP Code areas in Missouri.