GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The man behind the Pop-Tart, who grew up in Grand Rapids, has died.
William “Bill” Post died Saturday at the age of 96, according to his obituary .
Post, a child of Dutch immigrants, was raised on the south side of Grand Rapids. He graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School, served in the Army Air Corps and spent two years at Calvin College, according to the obituary.
At 16 years old, the obituary says Post began washing trucks at Hekman Biscuit Company, later known as the Keebler Company. By 21, he worked there full time as the personnel manager. He later became the plant manager.
“Then, Kellogg’s approached us, looking for a treat that could go in the toaster,” Post said in an article for Holland Home . “Within four months, we created the Pop-Tart.”
According to the obituary, Post later moved to Illinois with his family to work at Keebler’s corporate offices, retired to Glen Arbor and returned to Grand Rapids in 2003.
The obituary says Post “remained a humble man of God with a servant’s heart” despite his accomplishments.