Simon, William

Simon, William (Edward)

(1927– ) financier, cabinet member, born in Paterson, N.J. An army veteran, he was a partner with Salomon Brothers (1968–72), dealing in government securities and becoming extremely rich. As director of the Federal Energy Office (1973–74), he instituted fuel allotments during the oil crisis. He then served presidents Nixon and Ford as secretary of the Treasury (1974–77). On leaving the government, he wrote A Time for Action (1980) and formed Wesray, an investment company, in 1981.