1939:
The leadership of Alcoholics Anonymous, consisting of the trustees of the
Alcoholic Foundation—non-alcoholics Willard Richardson, Frank Amos, and A.
Leroy Chipman, associates of Rockefeller—as well as non-alcoholic trustee
Dr. Leonard Strong
[above: first four, left to right, respectively], and alcoholics Bill R.* and Harry B. [above: fourth and
fifth from left]
gathered for an unofficial meeting. Non-trustee Bill W.
[above: sixth from left]
was absent but sent a letter addressing “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 the funds received and distributed. The trustees agreed to present a formal report, budget, and plan for raising necessary funds at their next official meeting.
Unfortunately, this delay
prompted Bill W. and Hank P.
[far left]
to start selling stock [near left:
fake certificate with real signatures]
in the newly formed One Hundred Men Corporation, as they urgently needed
funds. The meeting minutes clearly state that the Alcoholic Foundation would
remain completely independent One Hundred Men, with no responsibility for
its actions and operating outside its supervision. In essence, the
Rockefeller contingent had implicitly conceded to Bill and Hank that A.A.
could 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.
1949:
Dr. Gilbert “Gib” K., 52, died from cancer
[near right: headstone; far right: obituary from the
Chippewa Herald-Telegram, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, 15 February 1949,
p. 3].
He had been the founder of Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s first A.A. group. Just three months prior, in November 1948, Bill and Lois W. had visited him in the hospital. During that visit, Gib had urged Bill to have his violin as a gift. Bill had accepted it and would cherish it for the rest of his life.
1954: Bill W’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 [left: headstone].
1971: Three weeks after his death, Alcoholics Anonymous groups worldwide held a memorial service to honor Bill W.
2007: Nellie “Nell” Wing
[right],
89, died at Sunrise Assisted Living in Wayne, New Jersey. From 1947 to 1982,
she had served as the secretary and administrative assistant to Bill Wilson
at the Alcoholic Foundation/General Service Office in New York City.
Additionally, she had been the first Archivist for Alcoholics Anonymous and
authored a memoir about her experiences, titled
Grateful to Have Been There.
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 the funds received and distributed. The trustees agreed to present a formal report, budget, and plan for raising necessary funds at their next official meeting.
Unfortunately, this delay
prompted Bill W. and Hank P.
[far left]
to start selling stock [near left:
fake certificate with real signatures]
in the newly formed One Hundred Men Corporation, as they urgently needed
funds. The meeting minutes clearly state that the Alcoholic Foundation would
remain completely independent One Hundred Men, with no responsibility for
its actions and operating outside its supervision. In essence, the
Rockefeller contingent had implicitly conceded to Bill and Hank that A.A.
could 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.
1949:
Dr. Gilbert “Gib” K., 52, died from cancer
[near right: headstone; far right: obituary from the
Chippewa Herald-Telegram, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, 15 February 1949,
p. 3].He had been the founder of Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s first A.A. group. Just three months prior, in November 1948, Bill and Lois W. had visited him in the hospital. During that visit, Gib had urged Bill to have his violin as a gift. Bill had accepted it and would cherish it for the rest of his life.
1954: Bill W’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 [left: headstone].
1971: Three weeks after his death, Alcoholics Anonymous groups worldwide held a memorial service to honor Bill W.
2007: Nellie “Nell” Wing
[right],
89, died at Sunrise Assisted Living in Wayne, New Jersey. From 1947 to 1982,
she had served as the secretary and administrative assistant to Bill Wilson
at the Alcoholic Foundation/General Service Office in New York City.
Additionally, she had been the first Archivist for Alcoholics Anonymous and
authored a memoir about her experiences, titled
Grateful to Have Been There.
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