William Greehey

William Eugene "Bill" Greehey (born June 9, 1936, in Fort Dodge, Iowa) is an American businessman and philanthropist. He is most known for his roles as the founding CEO and Chairman of Valero Energy Corporation and NuStar Energy.

Early life Bill Greehey was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High School in 1954. He then served with the US Air Force for four years and was based at Lackland AFB, in San Antonio, Texas. Following his Air Force career, he used his GI Bill benefits to enroll in St. Mary's University at San Antonio, and later received a Bachelor's degree in Accounting. He was the founding CEO and Chairman of the Valero Energy Corporation and Group and held those posts until January 2006 and January 2007, respectively. As a philanthropist, he founded the William Greehey Family Foundation in April 2003.

In March 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic was spreading, his Greehey Foundation pledged financial support for those in need of relief.

Personal life Greehey has been married to Louree née Bruce Greehey for over sixty years and they have five children. He serves on the Board of Trustees of St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, which named him a Distinguished Alumnus in 1986 and granted him an honorary doctorate of philosophy in 1998. The Bill Greehey Refineries in Corpus Christi is named in his honor.

Awards In 1998, Mr. Greehey was presented with the Outstanding Philanthropist Award from the San Antonio Chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives; and he was inducted into the San Antonio Business Hall of Fame by Junior Achievement.

In 2001, Greehey received the distinguished Horatio Alger Award.