William Edward Simon (1927-2000) was an American businessman, philanthropist, and public servant best known for serving as the 63rd United States Secretary of the Treasury from 1974 to 1977 under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Born in Paterson, New Jersey, Simon graduated from Lafayette College in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts in industrial administration after brief attendance at Williams College and service in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He began his career in finance as a municipal bond trader at Union Securities and later at Weeden & Co., where he became a partner in 1967. Appointed Deputy Secretary of the Treasury in 1973, Simon rose to the top role amid the Watergate scandal and economic challenges, including the oil crisis and inflation. He advocated strongly for free-market principles, deregulation, and fiscal conservatism, authoring books like 'A Time for Truth' (1978) that critiqued government intervention. After leaving government, Simon built a successful business career, co-founding Wesray Corporation in 1978, which pioneered leveraged buyouts, including the acquisition of Gibson Greetings. He also chaired the John M. Olin Foundation from 1977 to 1999, directing funds toward conservative causes, education reform, and free enterprise advocacy. Through the William E. Simon Foundation, established in 1995, he supported philanthropy focused on individual liberty and market-based solutions. A vocal critic of big government, Simon influenced conservative thought and policy networks. He passed away in 2000 in Santa Barbara, California, leaving a legacy in finance, politics, and philanthropy.