Ebby Thacher was born in Albany, NY. He was a drinking pal of Bill W. and reached out to Bill to discuss his new-found sobriety. Although sober for just two months, Ebby was able to help Bill to become sober and became his sponsor.

Ebby outlined for Bill a simple spiritual program of action  that was to become the basis of AA’s 12 steps. With Ebby’s help, Bill W worked the steps, emphasizing  the need to work with other alcoholics to  grow spiritually.

Ebby is buried in the Albany Rural Cemetery