William “Bill” Post, credited with developing Pop-Tarts, has passed away at the age of 96.
“We are deeply saddened to share the news that William ‘Bill’ Post passed away over the weekend,” Pop-Tarts owner Kellanova said. “He played an important role in co-creating the iconic Pop-Tarts brand and we are grateful to Bill for his legacy and lasting contributions to our company.”
WATCH:
Born to Dutch immigrants on the south side of Grand Rapids and one of seven children, Post’s journey was characterized by hard work and dedication from an early age. Starting as a truck washer at 16, his career trajectory took him from a part-time job at Hekman Biscuit Company to a significant role in the development of one of the most iconic breakfast foods as we know it.
After serving in the Army Air Corps in Japan, Post returned to Hekman, which would later become Keebler Company, and eventually collaborated with Kellogg’s to transform the concept of a shelf-stable toaster pastry into the household staple known as Pop-Tarts.
Bill would say, “I assembled an amazing team that developed Kellogg’s concept of a shelf-stable toaster pastry into a fine product that we could bring to market in the span of just four months” according to his obituary.
His passing leaves behind a void not only in his family—survived by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren—but also in the countless lives he touched.
