Legendary Businessman Bill Simon

EDITOR’S NOTE: He was the ugliest woman on TV but the Best Man in the City! Bill Simon, a strong Christian family man, nearly 60 years in business in Baton Rouge, his job was to keep us all moving, a faithful friend, he entered a room and brought laughter and good cheer, he never knew a stranger, he would tell you the truth good or bad, encourage you, give you the shirt off his back, tireless, loved his fellow man, never said No, could not possibly be replaced, you could see Christ in him!  He did it his way! — Woody Jenkins

 The man, the myth, the marketing legend! William Raymond (Bill) Simon, Sr., was 88 years young with more to give when he was tragically torn from his family at dawn on March 28, 2025, his first morning of retirement.

Founder and owner of Simple Simon Tires for 60 years, Bill was a powerhouse. Whether for work, pleasure, or spiritual uplift, he didn’t know how to stop doing all he loved. His voice and laughter were one of a kind and will live on in the memory of all who loved him.

The fifth of nine children born to Henry and Barbara Simon on August 16, 1936, in Elk City, OK, Bill grew up on a cotton and wheat farm. Things were tough and got tougher when Bill was nine and his dad died. Growing up, Bill worked the farm and attended school in a one-room schoolhouse.

He went to work in the oil fields of Kansas until 1959 when he was drafted into the army. On weekends, he would sometimes visit his brother Vincent in Pampa. On one of those visits, he went on a blind date, and it led to marriage. When released from the army in 1961, they were a family of three, and then five.

Bill was determined to have his own business. He worked a string of jobs before he had the opportunity to lease an Esso station in 1966. In the early days, if work was slow, he’d take off on foot down Choctaw until he found someone who needed an oil change or flat repair. He’d deliver the vehicle back to its owner and find another car in need of repair. He worked 15-hour days, saved up, and bought the two lots next to the station. He saved more, borrowed some, and in 1975, opened the first Simple Simon.

The business flourished as his signature commercials—featuring crazy antics and a slew of characters that he invented and portrayed, often an ugly woman—hit TV screens across Baton Rouge. Bill married Peggy in 1978. She has played the supporting role in his life and business for almost 50 years.

He belonged to the EBR Lions Club and loved being a Lion—giving back by sponsoring children for the Lions summer camp, maintaining the camp vehicle. He too was once the child who had needed but couldn’t afford medical help.

To relax, he loved fishing or digging in his vegetable garden. 

He was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Our hearts are broken, but we couldn’t be prouder of who he was and all he accomplished.

Visitation took place on April 9 at Rabenhorst Funeral Home. Visitation was held at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Burial was at Green Oaks Cemetery.