UPPER LAKE, Calif. – This Friday, Upper Lake's new postmaster will take her oath of office.

The swearing-in ceremony for DeAnn Williams will take place at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the Odd Fellows Hall, 9480 Main St.

Williams replaces Maria Lane who was promoted as Postmaster Lakeport Post Office.

She will follow a tradition that dates back to 1858 when Upper Lake Post Office was first opened and James Musick was the first postmaster. 

Williams started her postal career in 1982 as a city carrier in Oakdale. She became a driver safety instructor in 1998.

In February 2014, she was promoted to supervisor customer service in Grants Pass, Ore. In January 2015, she was promoted as Postmaster Yorkville.

“I am very proud to be an agent in one of the greatest public services in our nation’s history,” said Williams. “My goal is to ensure a positive experience for our customers as well as an encouraging work environment for my employees. I am looking forward to building trusting relationships with this community and its leaders.”

Williams lives in Upper Lake, but she frequents her second home in southern Oregon on the Rogue River. She has a daughter, Sienna, 23.

She enjoys motorcycle riding along the coast and she is an instructor/coach for new motorcycle riders.

As Upper Lake postmaster, Williams manages five employees who process and deliver an average of 1,650 pieces of mail daily to 970 delivery points – business and residential addresses – and 713 Post Office boxes.