The Legacy Behind the Logo:
A Story of Family, Innovation, and the Water Wheel That Inspired It All
At AK Thompson Insurance, our motto is “Simplifying Insurance, One Policy at a Time,” but there’s a deeper story woven into our brand—one rooted in hard work, innovation, and a legacy of determination passed down through generations.
The water wheel in our logo isn’t just a design—it’s a symbol of something real and deeply personal. It represents a remarkable piece of history built by my great-great-grandfather, W.T. “Bill” Watson, on his property in Slabtown, South Carolina, a little community neighboring Easley, SC.
A Vision for Running Water
Bill Watson was born on July 11, 1874, and married Emma Ellen Corbin in 1894. In a time when running water wasn’t a given, Bill dreamed of bringing it to his home. That dream drove him to design and build what he called the “Water Works”—a system that included a hand-built well, water tower, and eventually, a fully functional water wheel.
He dug a 100-foot-deep well using dynamite and grit. The base of the well was so large that a car could fit inside it. Just ten feet from the top, he struck solid blue granite. A gas-powered pump pushed water from the well to a towering tank, which then carried water to his home.
But Bill didn’t stop there.
Building the Water Wheel
In 1944, he constructed a water wheel system to improve the water flow. With the help of dynamite, a mule-drawn wagon to haul debris, and unmatched determination, Bill transformed the creek bed to support the project. He added a dam and built the first pump himself—crafted with a leather washer and an arm that pumped water over 1,000 feet uphill.
The original water wheel was crafted using repurposed parts:
A cotton gin fan became the drive pulley
Boiler tubes from a diesel steam engine formed the water pipes
It was mounted on Timken tapered roller bearings from a Peterbilt semi-truck
A sediment collection box kept the water clean
To Bill, this was more than engineering—it was legacy. He even marked the project with a plaque, which he hand stamped in concrete, that states: “Water Works Built, April 3, 1944.”
A Legacy Restored
Bill passed away in 1954, but his vision didn’t end there. In 1968, his grandsons Claude Watson and W.T. Watson led a revitalization of the water wheel. A large concrete-reinforcing cable, still suspended among the trees today, was installed across the creek to help lift the wheel onto a custom-built trailer. It was transported to their shop, where they replaced the original wooden buckets with metal ones.
The restored water wheel was then used to pump water to two homes, continuing Bill’s dream even after he was gone.
Growing up, I played in that very creek—mesmerized by the sound and motion of the water wheel pouring water. Even as a child, I felt the wonder of what my great-great-grandfather had built. That memory has stayed with me and only deepened my appreciation for the ingenuity and love that went into it, as I’ve learned more about it’s history.
More Than Just a Symbol
At AK Thompson Insurance, I chose to feature the water wheel in our logo to honor this incredible family story. It reminds me—and hopefully our clients—of what’s possible with persistence, creativity, and heart.
This legacy represents who we are: grounded, hardworking, and committed to delivering solutions that make life easier. Just like Bill sought to simplify the everyday needs of his home, we strive to simplify the insurance process for yours.
The water wheel still stands today, nestled at the base of the property behind my uncle’s house in Slabtown, SC. The land, once owned by Bill, has been passed down through the generations—from my grandmother, to my father and uncle.
Today, I’ve planted new roots just a few miles down the road in Piedmont, South Carolina, where AK Thompson Insurance serves clients with the same spirit of innovation and care that inspired Bill’s “Water Works” nearly a century ago.
With some repairs, the water wheel could function again. It’s my goal to one day see water flowing through it again, just as Bill imagined over 80 years ago. Honoring the past while continuing to build for the future.
A Family Tradition of Service
If you ever find yourself driving through the Slabtown or Piedmont areas of SC, know that just off a quiet path lies a symbol of one man’s vision and a family’s continued commitment to preserving it.
We’re proud to carry that same spirit forward—one policy at a time.
Thank you for taking time to ready a glimpse of my family’s history……