February 14 in A.A. History

In 1939, A.A.’s leadership—non-alcoholic trustees Willard Richardson, Frank Amos, and A. Leroy Chipman (all Rockefeller associates), as well as non-alcoholic trustee Dr. Leonard Strong, and alcoholic trustees Bill R. and Harry B.—gathered for an unofficial meeting. Bill W. was not present but was represented by a letter regarding “the progress of the book.”
    During the meeting, Bill R. resigned^* but was immediately appointed to the Advisory Committee. Harry B. was elected chairman pro tem. Frank Amos provided an informal report on funds received and distributed. The trustees agreed that at their next official meeting, they would present a formal report, a budget, and a plan for raising the necessary funds.

    Unfortunately, this delay led Bill W. and Hank P. to begin selling stock [right] in the newly formed Works Publishing Co., as they urgently needed money. The meeting minutes clearly state that the Alcoholic Foundation would remain completely independent of Works Publishing—having no responsibility for its actions and operating outside its supervision. In effect, the Rockefeller contingent had implicitly conceded to Bill and Hank, allowing A.A. to self-publish their book.

---

^* Contrary to widespread and persistent rumors, he was not removed for drinking, but rather due to the increased demands of work and family life.

In 1949, Dr. Gilbert “Gib” K., 52, died of cancer. He had started the first A.A. group in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Just three months earlier, in November 1948, Bill and Lois W. had visited him in the hospital as he lay dying; Gil had pressed Bill to accept his violin as a gift. Bill did, and would treasure it for the rest of his life [left: Bill playing Gib's violin at Stepping Stones].

In 1954, Bill’s father, Gilman Barrows W., 84, died penniless in Vancouver, British Columbia. His ashes would be returned to East Dorset, Vermont for burial in the family plot.

In 1971, Alcoholics Anonymous groups around the world held a memorial service in honor of Bill W., who had died on 29 January 1971, his and Lois' 53rd wedding anniversary.

In 1939, Nell Wing, 89, died at Sunrise Assisted Living in Wayne, New Jersey. She had been secretary and administrative assistant to Bill W. at the Alcoholic Foundation/General Service Office in New York City from 1947 to 1982 and A.A.’s first Archivist. She had also been the author of Grateful to Have Been There.