NEWPORT--Royce C. Woodman, 89, died December 24, 2013 at his residence.

He was born May 24, 1924 in Hartland, a son of F. Clair and Iza (Fletcher) Woodman. He attended Hartland Academy and married Bernice Litchfield in 1941. They shared 70 years together.

Royce served in The U. S. Navy during World War II and was assigned first to the Fleet Post Office, N. Y. and later to the General T. H. Bliss troop transport.

After his discharge in 1945, he was employed by W. H. Moore & Son, Hartland, until he became a rural letter carrier with the U. S. Postal Service. After twenty-one years in the Hartland Post Office, he was transferred to Cumberland. When an opening appeared at the Pittsfield Post Office he returned there and served until his retirement in 1980 after thirty years of delivering mail.

Royce enjoyed carpenter work, spending spare time summers working for the late Harold Hubbard, building contractor, Hartland. He had been a member of the Hartland Grange, Past Commander of the Steeves McCormack American Legion Post, and later was a lift member of the Bourque-Lanigan American Legion Post #5, after moving to Waterville in 1985. He was a member of the Somerset County Rural Letter Carriers Association. After his retirement he was employed by the Maine Fence Company, Pittsfield, and the Central Maine Security at Maine General Medical Center, Waterville. He is survived by his only daughter, Tonya Watson of Newport; grandson, Wayne and wife Melissa Watson of Newport and Brian Weymouth of Manchester, NH; 3 great grandchildren, Curtis and Colby Watson and Brandi Weymouth; and several cousins. He was predeceased by his wife Bernice on April 9, 2012.

Spring graveside funeral and committal services will be held at the Pine Grove Cemetery, Hartland. Arrangements are by Crosby & Neal, Newport.