Eulogy for William E. Simon: A legacy of heroic proportions
Charles Colson
Thursday, June 8, 2000
Sadly, I will be traveling to New York to
attend funeral services at St. Patrick's Cathedral
for a colleague from the Nixon years, my great
friend, William E. Simon (November 27, 1927 -
June 3, 2000).
We've been reminded by obituaries in recent days that
Bill Simon was one of the giants of our time. I first
met Bill when he left his successful investment-
banking career to come to Washington in late-1972 as
Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. He gained great
respect for taking on the toughest jobs.
Among them was serving as Energy Czar during the
energy crisis of 1974. He won worldwide acclaim for
his work. He was appointed Secretary of the Treasury
in 1974, and served with distinction under Presidents
Nixon and Ford. But those things are not the source
of Bill's greatness.
After he left government, Bill became treasurer of
the International Olympic Committee. President Carter
urged the committee to boycott the Moscow Olympics in
1980, to protest the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan;
but the sports establishment fought against doing so.
Bill gave an impassioned speech before the House of
Delegates, and it was his principled stand that swung
the vote in favor of the boycott.
Later, he was elected President of the Olympics. Bill
raised funds to pull them out of debt, putting the
Olympics on a business-like basis. But that's not the
greatness of Bill Simon either.
Bill made a fortune in the eighties buying distressed
companies and turning them around. He then gave away
much of his fortune through philanthropy. But this
wasn't the source of his greatness.
When I worked with him, I knew Bill to be shrewd,
dedicated, and tough as nails. And those traits
remained, but later in life Bill changed as his faith
became the center of his life.
He called me one day and asked if he could go into
prison with me; that turned out to be one of the
greatest days of his life, and mine. We not only
visited the InnerChange prison in Texas, but spent an
afternoon on death row.
Bill walked from cell to cell, reaching through the
bars, tears rolling down his cheeks as he listened
and shared his faith. A sight I will never forget was
Bill Simon, former Treasury Secretary, head of the
Olympic Committee, and one of the most powerful men
in America, kneeling on the concrete floor, praying
with an African-American inmate condemned to die.
Bill spent his later years seeking out "the least of
these." He ministered to those in AIDS homes,
hospices, and facilities for the mentally handicapped
-- helping people in need.
He was recently quoted in the press as saying,
"Writing checks for charities is necessary and
important, but it can't compete with corporal works
of mercy, which are infinitely greater." His
ministry, he told the reporters, was the most
important thing he had ever done.
In my recent commencement address at Wheaton College,
I told graduates that if they really aspired to lead
good lives, they would find heroes to model
themselves after. Well, that's not easy these days.
But here's one hero I enthusiastically nominate.
Bill Simon was a man who served without seeking
personal acclaim. And that's why I'm doing this
commentary: to honor a hero for our times, who
exemplified what it means to live the Christian
faith. And that WAS Bill's greatness.
Believers, C. S. Lewis reminded us, never have to say
goodbye. We will meet again. But in the meantime,
Bill Simon, we will miss you.
Copyright (c) 2000 Prison Fellowship Ministries
Thursday, June 8, 2000
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