William Post

June 27, 1927 ~
February 10, 2024

William (Bill) Post was raised on the south side of Grand Rapids, one of seven children of Dutch immigrants, and graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School. While in high school, at the age of 16, Bill held a part-time job washing trucks at Hekman Biscuit Company. After serving in the Army Air Corps in occupied Japan, he returned to the part-time job at Hekman and also attended Calvin College for 2 years. During that time, he married his high school sweetheart, Florence (Schut), and they began their incredible 72-year journey of love and devotion.

At the age of 21, Bill worked at Hekman full-time as the personnel manager, but assisted with sales, production, or anything else that he could learn. Fast forward 20 years, and Bill as the plant manager of Hekman (later known as the Keebler Company) welcomed some executives from Kellogg’s who asked if he thought it would be possible for Keebler to create a new product they had in mind. One of those executives was William LaMothe who soon became Bill’s close friend. It is at this juncture that Bill is often credited for having “invented” the Pop Tart. To be accurate, however, 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”. The collaboration and growth of Kellogg’s and Keebler continued until Kellogg’s finally purchased the Keebler company.

In 1967, Bill moved his family to Elmhurst Illinois, to begin working at the corporate offices of the Keebler Company. As a senior vice president, at the age of 56, he left the company and retired to Glen Arbor Michigan and his beloved Glen Lake. However, he could not turn down Kellogg’s request to be their consultant and enjoyed that position for the next 20 years. Those years included worldwide travel and the forging of international friendships. In 2003, Bill and Florence came full circle, moving back to Grand Rapids to be near their family.

Over the years, Bill has been interviewed by newspaper reporters (including the New York Times), TV reporters (History Channel, CBS, etc.), and by radio hosts in this country and abroad. He was asked to tell the Pop Tart story to young people in countless classrooms and always enjoyed accommodating those requests, giving his testimony of God’s goodness to “the son of an immigrant”, and bringing some of his unending supply of Pop Tarts with him.

In spite of an extraordinary life and legendary accomplishments, Bill remained a humble man of God with a servant’s heart that seemed to overflow with generosity. He served the communities in which he lived as a board member for schools, churches, the YMCA, and was a member of Gideons International for 60 years. He was the first to bring comfort, read scripture and offer a prayer with any friend or family member in need. He continued to fill that role to the very end of his life and leaves a big void in a very large circle of treasured friends. Always crediting his wonderful life to “Christ who gives me strength”, he was such a positive force that after a conversation with Bill, you would leave with a lighter heart and a brighter smile.

Preceding him in death (in 2020) was Bill’s wife and best friend, Florence. Bill’s six siblings (and spouses) also preceded him in death: Henry, Richard, Margaret (Engbers), John, Gerrit, and Adrianna (Ophoff). Bill was loved and will be missed immensely by his children: Dan and Jackie Post and Rachel and John DeYoung. The lights of his life were his adoring grandchildren and great-grandchildren who visited him so often: Angie Terry (Erica and Alex), Adam and Amanda Post (Asher, Lilah and Rowan), John and Rhonda DeYoung (Kate and Jenna) and David and Jenny DeYoung (Will, Wyatt and Whitney). Bill’s immediate family also wishes to express their gratitude and thanks to his nieces and nephews who paid so much attention to him. He delighted in your company as you did in his!

A service to praise God for Bill’s life will be held at 2 pm on Thursday, March 7 at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church,107 LaGrave Ave. SE, Grand Rapids. Relatives and friends may meet the family on Wednesday, March 6 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bill’s memory would be very much appreciated to Gideons International. Please send donations to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 140422, Grand Rapids, MI 49514.

Visitation
Wednesday, March 6
2:00pm - 4:00pm

MKD - Kentwood
4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE
Kentwood, MI 49508
Get Directions

Phone: (616) 455-1535

Visitation
Wednesday, March 6
6:00pm - 8:00pm

MKD - Kentwood
4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE
Kentwood, MI 49508
Get Directions

Phone: (616) 455-1535

Funeral
Thursday, March 7
2:00pm

LaGrave Christian Reformed Church
107 LaGrave Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Get Directions

Leave Your Tribute Message

February 24, 2024 9:40am
Dan and Jackie, Rachel and John and families…so sorry to hear of your Dads passing. I am the son of Mart and Harriet VH who enjoyed the fabulous friendship with your Mom and Dad for years up at Glen Lake. He was a wonderful man of God who was a good friend to the entire VH clan. You might know that we asked him to speak at both of our parents funerals. I’m so sorry to be out of town on March 7 but will certainly be there in spirit that day. He is now praising God face to face…Wow!! God Bless. Dan

- Dan Van Houzen

February 17, 2024 4:42pm
Rachel, I was so sorry to hear about your Father. He was a great man and will be missed, but what wonderful memories you have. Curt and Joy Offringa Boss

- Joy Offringa Boss

February 17, 2024 10:57am
Dan, Jackie and families, we are so sorry for your great loss. I remember years ago when he would visit the restaurant, he always had a smile and a kind word. When he called he always said it was just sweet old Bill. He was a very humble and great man.

- Beverly Johnson Aman

February 15, 2024 6:11pm
Mr. Post was a dear friend of my late father, Rex Matzinger from Traverse City. They were in The Gideons together. My dad was a public educator with a modest income. When they traveled to Gideon conventions, Mr. Post was quck to pick up the tab but never made a show of it. Both men were considered equal in their service to the Gideons!

- Joanna Matzinger Vanraaphorst

February 15, 2024 4:44pm
Dear family and friends of Bill, I am saddened to hear of Bill's passing. He was such a wonderful person, so nice and so humble. I had the chance to interview Bill when I was reporter/anchor at WWMT News in 2021.https://wwmt.com/news/local/mr-pop-tart-grand-rapids-man-reflects-on-the-snack-he-created-57-years-later I was then honored to be brought on the History Channel's 'The Food that Built America' to further share more about Bill, his story, and Pop-Tarts. I am grateful I got to meet Bill and that he trusted me to tell part of his story. I will always remember him and his kindness, as well as his sense of humor. Please know I am praying for you all during this difficult time. Respectfully, Alexia Petrovic

- Alexia Petrovic

February 15, 2024 10:41am
Im a historic guide YouTuber and just found out his passing! 96 years lived happily and he is the reason how I liked eating Pop-Tarts. I always wondered how did they become Pop-Tarts. Had no idea it was this nice man's idea for all of us kids then who ate these breakfast goodies before, during or after school l. I did! I still like them and raised my daughter as well appreciating Pop-Tarts. Prayers to his family, friends, colleagues, etc. May you all find peace and comfort with GOD through your time if grief. God bless you.

- Candice Stoughton

February 15, 2024 8:53am
The 96 yrs of Love ,Live on ,through you , and Yours , prayers and thoughts to The Family and Friends

- Sharri Neuman

February 14, 2024 7:52pm
Dear Family & Friends of Bill, I Never had the Privilege of meeting Him, but through this online Obituary, I send my condolences to his children and family. Thanks for his contributions to the food service industry in creating the Pop Tart. He literally fed millions of children in the western world with Pop Tarts as it was a school snack and after school food item for kids and regular food item inside the lunchbox and backpacks.

- John

February 14, 2024 5:09pm
Dan and Family, Laura and I were both saddened to read of your Father's passing...It sounded like he had an interesting life and the bond he had with the family sounded great...In our thoughts...

- Michael J Vizard

February 14, 2024 1:11pm
Dear Family & Friends of Bill, I Never had the Privilege of meeting Him, but through His on-line Obituary, I Care for him too. Thankful for his contributions to the food service industry in my favorite snack, the pop tart. More importantly I’m thankful He loved the Lord and professed his life to following Christ. Blessings to the family and sorry for your loss.

- Terrell Broady Jr.

February 14, 2024 4:37am
Dear Family & Friends of Bill, I Never had the Privilege of meeting Him, but through His on-line Obituary, I Care for him too. He was "Old School, American", an Honest, Hard Working, God Loving Man, and to Loose Him, is a Loss for Us All. Try Your Best, to Live Like Bill ! His Participation with Giddeons, has inspired Me to start Giving to Them, monthly. Sincerely, Debra Jones (Ohio)

- Debra M. Jones

February 14, 2024 2:46am
I did not know him but I am still sad that is now gone but will not be forgotten. his legacy will live on forever. I extend may sympathies to the family. im a person who cares.

- raul sanchez

February 13, 2024 8:40pm
Dan and Jackie, Rachel and John and families. Sad to hear of your Dads passing. What wonderful memories we have when they were in Glen Arbor. Also your Dad and Bart with the Kellogg plant in PA. Also have several Santa’s he gave over the years that we treasure. Have no doubt he is now again united with your Mom and is happy in heaven with God.

- Fran Housman

February 13, 2024 6:35pm
Linda and I extend our sympathies to your families. I have such fond & vivid memories of our families at Glenn Lake Michigan for many summers "Uncle Bill" taught us kids how to water ski. We sang songs around the campfire at night. He was blessed with many gifts and a long blessed life. To God be the glory. Jim & Linda Schippers

- James & Linda Schippers

February 13, 2024 4:30pm
Lin and I extend our sympathies . I was part of that original Pop Tart team in Keebler’s lab where much of the formulation of the pop tart was worked out.

- Raymond Dennis

February 12, 2024 3:22pm
We will miss our Uncle Bill. Our visits with him were always such a delight, and we loved hearing his pop tart stories. His smile lit up the room! It’s an honor to call him our family. He will be sorely missed, but we rejoice in his home-going. 1 Thess 4:13-18.

- Kevin & Susan Post




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