Walter King Stapleton (June 2, 1934 – November 23, 2024) was an American federal judge who served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the United States District Court for the District of Delaware.
Early Life and Education
Stapleton was born in Cuthbert, Georgia, on June 2, 1934. He received an Artium Baccalaureus (A.B.) degree from Princeton University in 1956, a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Harvard Law School in 1959, and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1984.
Early Career
From 1959 to 1970, Stapleton was in private practice in Wilmington, Delaware. He also served as a deputy attorney general of Delaware from 1963 to 1964.
Federal Judicial Service
Stapleton was nominated by President Richard Nixon on September 22, 1970, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, vacated by Judge Edwin DeHaven Steel Jr. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 8, 1970, and received his commission six days later. He served as Chief Judge of that court from 1983 to 1985. His service on the district court terminated on May 8, 1985, due to his elevation to the Third Circuit.
Stapleton was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on March 27, 1985, to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, to a new seat created by 98 Stat. 333. He was confirmed by the Senate on April 3, 1985, and received his commission the following day. He assumed senior status on June 2, 1999, and continued to perform judicial duties well into his later years.
Death
Stapleton died in Penn, Pennsylvania, on November 23, 2024, at the age of 90.
