William Post Cause of Death

William Post, a pivotal figure in the evolution of Pop-Tarts, passed away at the age of 96 in Michigan.

According to a family obituary released on Saturday, Post, raised in Grand Rapids as one of seven children of Dutch immigrants, transitioned peacefully. His professional journey led him to retire at the age of 56 as a senior vice president with Keebler Company, after which he settled in Glen Arbor, Michigan.

Kellanova, formerly known as Kellogg Co., expressed deep sorrow over Post’s demise in a statement issued on Wednesday, acknowledging his significant role in co-creating the iconic Pop-Tarts brand. Pop-Tarts made their debut in 1964 in Cleveland, Ohio, initially offering four flavors—strawberry, blueberry, brown sugar cinnamon, and apple-currant—before expanding nationwide the following year.

In his obituary, Post’s family recounted his tenure as a plant manager with the Keebler Company, during which Kellogg executives sought his expertise in developing a new product. One of these executives, William LaMothe, formed a close friendship with Post, and together they collaborated on what would become the Pop-Tart.

While Post is often credited with “inventing” the Pop-Tart, his family clarifies that he assembled a remarkable team to develop Kellogg’s concept of a shelf-stable toaster pastry into a marketable product within a mere four months.