William Post

William Post (June 27, 1927 – February 10, 2024) was an American businessman and inventor. Born to Dutch immigrants and raised in Michigan, Post became the plant manager for Hekman Biscuit company, a cookie company he worked for since he was sixteen years old. As plant manager, he was approached by Kellogg's to create a toaster pastry which later became known as the Pop-Tart, gaining credit for leading the team that invented the confection. He eventually became senior vice president of Keebler's until his retirement at age 56. After he retired, Post worked as a consultant and brand ambassador until 2003.

Early life Post was born on June 27, 1927, to Henry Post and Johanna Jongsta in Grand Rapids, Michigan. At the age of 16, Post washed trucks part-time for Hekman Biscuit Company, a cookie company which would later become part of Keebler. Post became the plant manager of the company at the age of 21, managing all aspects of the business. Although his boss did not take the idea seriously, he allowed Post to pursue the project. Post told Kellogg's he could have something in two weeks. Post and his team rapidly developed the recipe, which he refined by bringing samples home for his children to test almost daily.

In 1967, Post thought icing would be an ideal addition to the product. Some people at the company believed that toasting would cause the icing to melt, but it did not.

Post was married to his wife Florence for 72 years until her death in 2020. They had two children.

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