Posten, William Scott The Honorable Judge William Scott Posten. Age 87, of Minneapolis, passed away on Tuesday 12/4/18 surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born on March 10th, 1931 to Ike and Aquila (Clark) Posten, in East Moline, Illinois. Bill is survived by Polly, his loving wife of 43 years, children Scott, Elaine and Melissa. 13 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Elizabeth, his parents and stepfather Vern Teague, daughter Karen and son David. Judge Posten served in the US Army in 1953. In 1959, he received his Law degree from William Mitchell College of Law (formally Minneapolis College of Law). He worked in the Social Security Administration Office: advanced to the head of the Criminal Division in the Hennepin County Attorney's Office, and eventually managing the entire Department. He served as prosecuting attorney for 17 years. In 1973, Bill was elevated to the Hennepin District Court Bench. Judge Posten was the third African American to serve the state of Minnesota as a District Court Judge. He adjudicated two of the most most significant cases recorded in Hennepin County history: The State of Minnesota vs. Leonard J Richards, 1991 and Hodder vs. Goodyear, 1986. Judge Posten's creative and courageous judicial decision, allowing an older female victim to selelct the punishment for her male rapist assailant, garnered him national and international media attention. Bill's colleagues described the judge's personality and demeanor as "Graceful, Dignified, Calm, Patient, Unflappable under pressure, and Brilliant." A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, December 13th, 2018 at St Joan of Arc church, 4537 3rd Ave So, Minneapolis, MN 55419. Visitation one hour prior. The Posten family is grateful to the good people at Fairview Hospice for thier loving and compassionate care given to Judge Posten. Donations may be made to: Fairview Home Care and Hospice, Fairview Foundation, Riverside Professional Bldg., #119, 2450 Riverside Ave. Mpls, MN 55454 or Pathways, 3115 Hennepin Ave. So., Mpls., MN 55408 in honor of Judge William Posten.

Published on December 12, 2018