From Horses to Hydrants: The Legacy of "Slim" Willman
- Gull Lake Events
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
It’s easy to take for granted the simple act of turning on a kitchen tap. But for generations in Gull Lake, access to water was anything but simple—and that story runs right through my grandfather, George “Slim” Willman.
Before the Tap: Water in Early Gull Lake
Back in the early-to-mid 20th century, small towns like Gull Lake didn’t have the modern plumbing and infrastructure we rely on today. Instead, families depended on water being delivered by hand—and heart.
The Man with the Water Wagon
Slim Willman rolled into Gull Lake on harvest leave in 1928. By the 1940s, he had become the town’s “water man,” a title he held until 1961. With his trusted team of dray horses and a sturdy water wagon, Slim made daily rounds, bringing water straight to people’s doors for just five cents a pail. It didn’t matter if the weather was bitterly cold and the wagon covered in icicles; he always made sure his neighbors had what they needed.
His business card said it all:
"Purity Water: Water Line – Gull Lake, Good for 20 Barrels, Get It While It’s Wet."
Community Memories and a Sense of Humor
A Sense of Humor:
Arleigh Timmons Cates shared a memory on the Gull Lake, Saskatchewan, Old Stories and Fibs Facebook group that shows Slim’s wit. One morning, after Arleigh’s mother covered the floor with newspapers to keep things clean, Slim carefully stepped around them. When asked why, he replied, “Edna, I just didn’t want to get the papers all muddy!”
Dedication and Warmth:
Norm White also recalled the welcoming atmosphere at the Willman house and Slim’s tireless work ethic—leaving before sunrise, finishing after dark, carrying heavy pails into homes, and dealing with the occasional runaway team spooked by the noon siren.
Compassion First:
Perhaps the most telling story comes from Norm as well. He remembers that if a family couldn’t pay for their water but there were kids in the house, Slim would deliver the water anyway. For Slim, compassion always came first—whether it was for a neighbor in need or anyone else in the community.
A Personal Reflection
Though I never saw the water wagon in action, I knew the man behind it well. As a kid, I had a knack for getting on my uncles’ nerves—mostly in those harmless, mischievous ways kids do. When their patience wore thin and the mock scolding began, I’d make a beeline for my grandfather. He’d say, “Leave the goddam kid alone… now you put sadness in his heart.” I may not have really needed defending, but I always knew he’d take my side. That was my grandfather—a natural protector, whether the trouble was big, small, or just good-natured family fun.
He was generous, too—always giving me different chores and trusting me with real responsibilities, from cutting the lawn to tilling the garden. Looking back, it wasn’t the bit of money I earned that mattered most, but the chance to pitch in and learn the value of contributing.
It was the same instinct that guided him on his water rounds. Whether he was standing up for his grandson, quietly teaching me responsibility, or making sure a family didn’t go without water, compassion always came first for him
From Water Wagons to Water Plants
Today’s systems are a far cry from the days of dray horses and wooden pails, but at its core, the work is still about serving people with respect. Slim embodied that spirit every day, and it’s a standard we continue to strive for in Gull Lake—not because of rules or regulations, but because that’s what it means to be a community.
Slim understood that better than anyone. His quiet compassion and unwavering integrity are the foundation Gull Lake was built on—and a legacy worth remembering.
Blake Campbell
💡 This is just one of the many stories shaping life in Gull Lake.
👉 Explore more news, events, and community highlights on the Gull Lake Events Homepage.
Sponsorship Note: This editorial is brought to you by Gull Lake Events. This platform is made possible through the support of my local business, Campbell’s Accommodations. We believe in the importance of local news and are proud to help keep Gull Lake informed and connected.
Comments