Walter Berry “Watt” Culbert (1909-1982)

Watt Culbert

If you grew up in a rural area, you’re familiar with “the farmer wave.”

You’re driving down the road and as another vehicle approaches, you wave to the driver as a friendly gesture. It can be as simple as lifting one or two fingers off the steering wheel...

 ... or you can enthusiastically stick your arm out the window. Walter Berry “Watt” Culbert was doing just that on 21 September 1929, and it almost cost him his life.

Watt, age 20 was on his way home when he encountered a wedding procession of cars, heading the opposite direction. They were guests at the wedding of Watt’s first cousin, Edith Marilla Culbert who was marrying Bert McLelland in the nearby village of Ripley.

Watt had thrown his arm out the car window to greet the people in the leading vehicle. The lead car was speeding so fast that it threw up a cloud of dust, obstructing the view of Elton McLelland, the driver of the car behind it. Elton (brother of the groom) couldn’t see Watt’s car for the dust, and Elton sideswiped him. Both cars had their sides sheared off and went into the ditch.

Watt was found bleeding with his left arm almost severed. He was taken to Kincardine Hospital where his arm was amputated.

Years later, Watt’s daughters said, “We were surprised that neither of us ever thought of Dad as someone with only one arm. That was probably because he never complained, and found ways to accomplish things that needed to be done. One thing that amazes us now is how he was able to tie his shoelaces with one hand.”

The Thomas Ezra Culbert family

Watt Culbert was born 15 August 1909 in Huron Township, Bruce County, Ontario, Canada. His parents were Thomas Ezra Culbert (1872-1949) and Sarah Ann Berry (1871-1953) of the 8^th Concession, just east of Ripley.

Watt had an older brother, William Henry “Bill” Culbert (1906-1987) and a younger sister, Hazel Ann (Culbert) Charles (1911-2005). Bill was a secondary school teacher at Patterson Collegiate Institute in Windsor, and Hazel was a hairdresser in Lucknow.

When he was 31, Watt married 25-year-old Annie Louise Bowers on 5 July 1941. Annie, born 23 November 1915 was the daughter of Shirl Bowers and Kate Martyn who farmed on the 15^th Concession, two miles south of Ripley. Annie attended Toronto Normal School in 1933-34 and taught at SS#2 Culross for four years. 

Watt Culbert & Annie Bowers on their wedding day

The maid of honour in the pink dress is Annie’s sister Dorothy Henrietta “Hetty” Bowers, and the best man (far right) is Watt’s first cousin, George Irwin Johnston (1910-1944). George was the son of Ellen “Nellie” Culbert and Robert William Johnston.

Here's a photo of the same group as above at Watt & Annie’s 40^th anniversary celebration in 1981. Left to right: Watt Culbert, Annie (Bowers) Culbert, Hetty (Bowers) McLeod, and George Irwin Johnston.

On 1 August 1938, Watt and Annie opened a dry goods store in Ripley. Known as Watt’s Variety Store, they sold clothing, paint, school supplies, sewing notions, toys, and other items.

Watt's Variety Store in Ripley, Ontario

Watt’s Variety Store was located at 79 Huron Street in a long brick building which included several businesses. In the 1940's if you were to walk from their house on Jessie Street along Huron Street, it was the third store on the west side of Huron Street. The first store was Blue's Bakery, then McArthur's Hardware, Watt's Variety Store, McLennan's furniture, and several more. 

Inside Watt's Variety Store, November, 1952. That's Watt Culbert with his arm outstretched. The woman is Donalda MacKinnon, a part-time clerk at the store. The boy between Watt and Donalda is Watt’s son, Tom Culbert. The little boy making a purchase is Watt’s nephew, Andy Bowers. Photo by Andy’s father, John Laishley “Jack” Bowers.

Watt’s Variety Store specials, 1939

In September, 1941 Watt and Annie purchased the former home of Mr. Dan Ross at 16 Jessie Street in Ripley.

The Culbert family home at 16 Jessie Street, Ripley, Ontario

16 Jessie Street many years later in 2013.

Furniture receipt dated 1941 for a breakfast suite, bedroom suite, chesterfield suite, and a mattress for the house on Jessie Street. All for $237.00! Purchased from McLennan's Furniture store in Ripley. Note that the letterhead also says Funeral and Ambulance Service. This was back in the day when furniture and funeral services were sold in the same store.

Here on Jessie Street, Watt and Annie raised their three children: Shirley (born 1942), Thomas (born 1944), and Katherine (born 1947).

Watt sold Watt’s Variety Store and retired on New Year’s Day in 1982 after serving the community of Ripley for 44 years.

At the time they retired, Annie commented, “Years ago the store was opened every Wednesday and Saturday nights and the streets were lined with people. But today you could shoot a canon down the street.”

Photo of Huron Street in Ripley as it looked in October, 2015. The building on the right with the blue front is where Watt's Variety Store once stood.

The building that housed Watt’s Variety Store still stands today. MacAdams’s Mini Mart has taken the place of Watt’s Variety Store and the furniture store.

The Culberts admitted they would miss the store but they planned to enjoy their retirement “even if we don’t know what we’ll be doing.”

In the summer of 1982, Watt was at the family cottage at Bruce Beach on Lake Huron, about seven miles from his home in Ripley. He was getting the cottage ready for use after renovations. Shortly after this, he began to feel unwell. He was taken to Kincardine Hospital, and then to University Hospital in London where he died on 31 July 1982, age 72. Watt was just six months into his retirement.

Transcript of Walter Berry Culbert’s obituary:

WALTER B. CULBERT

Walter B. Culbert passed away in University Hospital, London, on July 31, 1982.

He was born on August 15, 1909 in Huron Township, the son of the late Thomas E. Culbert and Sarah Ann Berry.

Walter owned and operated a Variety Store in Ripley for over 40 years.

He was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church and served his church in

many ways. Also he was a member of the village council for several years.

He is survived by his wife, the former Annie Bowers and two daughters, Shirley

(Mrs. George Sled) of Stouffville, Katherine (Mrs. Ken Kirkland) of Milton, and one son Thomas (Marjorie) of Ripley. Also surviving, a sister Hazel (Mrs. Roy

Charles) of Lucknow, a brother William(Olive) of Richmond Hill and seven grandchildren.

The funeral service was held in the MacKenzie and McCreath Funeral Home, Ripley on August 3, 1982 with lnterment in Ripley Cemetery.

Pallbearers were: Bill McLeod, Roy Jackson, Don Peterbaugh, Donald Bowers, Morgan Johnston, and Lloyd Needham.

Flowerbearers were: George Johnston, Gordon Roulston, John Wain, Murray Culbert, Jack Scott and Don McLay.

 

Annie died 19 years later in 2001, age 86. Watt and Annie are buried in Ripley-Huron Cemetery, located at 1 Park Street in the southwest part of the village of Ripley.

Watt and Annie had been long-time members of St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Ripley. The church was built in 1891, and attended by generations of Culberts. St. Paul’s was deconsecrated and closed on 24 June 2005. Nonetheless, it still stands today at 10 Jessie Street, just down the street from the Culbert's house.

St. Paul's Anglican Church, 10 Jessie Street, Ripley, Ontario

The beautiful stained glass window (above) overlooked the altar. It bore the inscription: In memory of Moses Wall aged 85. Died Feb 28, 1891. (erected by his family). Moses Wall (1806-1891) and his wife, Ellen Greene were the parents of Margaret Wall who married Watt’s grandfather, Henry Culbert. (Henry Culbert was the son of John Culbert and Mary Ward.) The stained glass window was removed when the church closed, and is now in the possession of a member of the Wall family.

Henry Culbert (1837-1920) was a devout Anglican, as was his son, Thomas Ezra Culbert. Thomas Ezra Culbert was caretaker of the church until his son Watt Culbert took over these duties in 1940, and continued until his death in 1982.

Below is an appreciation letter for Watt’s work with the church...

Walter Berry Culbert’s Family Tree:

Ancestors:

John Culbert & Mary Ward (great-grandparents)

Henry Culbert & Margaret Wall (grandparents)

Thomas Ezra Culbert & Sarah Ann Berry (parents)

Descendants:

Shirley Ann (Culbert) Sled

Thomas John Culbert

Katherine Margaret (Culbert) Kirkland

Walter Berry Culbert (1909-1982)

Note: Thanks to Shirley (Culbert) Sled and Katherine (Culbert) Kirkland who provided information and photos of their father, Walter Berry Culbert.