What is your endgame? If you want to, you can not give him any equity, let him leave, replace him, train the next person, and continue to be on call 24/7/365.

What is your endgame? If you want to, you can not give him any equity, let him leave, replace him, train the next person, and continue to be on call 24/7/365. I'd be tempted to give him a few percent if that's what he wants, let him be on call 24/7/365, tell him he needs to hire and train some new people, and you can concentrate on new projects, work/life balance, or selling the company as something that does not require your ongoing involvement. Don't think of it as whether it's "fair" or "morally right" compensation for past work, concentrate on whether it is the right thing for the future, and whether it you can have any of your needs met in exchange for it.