Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
During his 33-year career working with United Parcel Service (UPS), Bill "Willie" Haynes has delivered literally thousands of packages of all kinds. Throughout his long career, Haynes has been recognized by his employer for his dedication to safety and efficiency. But packages are only a small part of what Haynes has delivered for the people of Madison during the 25 years he has spent driving his brown UPS truck around Madison County. Haynes has openly taken advantage of the opportunity to minister to people in the course of his daily interactions and duties.
The Tallahassee native made the conscious decision to work in the Madison area over other options. "I prefer Madison over anyplace else," said Haynes. "I'm very appreciative of the people of Madison." During the time he has worked in the Madison area, he has developed many close friendships with the customers to whom he has delivered goods. Sometimes those friendships have developed from differences. Haynes tells of one woman who complained about what she perceived as Haynes driving too fast in her neighborhood. Yet, over the years and after getting to know each other, what started as a difference of opinion turned into a friendship. Haynes considers the development of those individual relationships as crucial to the success he has had during his career with UPS. He fears that sense of relationship may soon be a thing of the past. "Now, they want you to get in, make the delivery and get out, without any interaction with the customers," lamented Haynes.
Always willing to share his faith, Haynes eagerly takes the opportunity to pray for and pray over the various people he meets along the way. Haynes tells of one experience in which he felt God calling him to minister to a certain man. In the course of delivering packages, Haynes shared the Gospel with the man, who in turn, got saved. "I delivered packages and shared the word," said Haynes with an easy laugh. Haynes says that on more than one occasion he has felt the protective presence of the Lord while he was driving his UPS truck and during his daily commute between Tallahassee and Madison. Haynes tells of other experiences where people have stopped him and have asked for prayers for various needs.
Looking back on his time working with UPS, Haynes says he has done "all in my power to enjoy the experience. [I have tried to be the] best person God made me to be. [I have had the] opportunity to be a blessing to some people."
As he contemplates his retirement from UPS in the coming days, Haynes has no plans of slowing down. "I'm still a workaholic. I am up at 5 a.m. every morning, getting ready for my day and studying the Word." After retirement from UPS, Haynes plans to travel and to do some work projects around his house. He also plans to devote more time to his prison and youth ministry. Haynes also plans to continue to cultivate the friendships he began while working in the Madison area. "There are a lot of people in Madison who have invited me to go fishing," says Haynes. "I'm looking forward to taking them up on that."
"It has been a ball serving Madison, with God," said Haynes.