Walter King Stapleton

Walter King Stapleton (June 2, 1934 – November 23, 2024) was a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware.

Stapleton was born in Cuthbert, Georgia on June 2, 1934. He received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Princeton University in 1956. He received a Bachelor of Laws from Harvard Law School in 1959. He received a Master of Laws from University of Virginia School of Law in 1984. He was in private practice of law in Wilmington, Delaware from 1959 to 1970. He was a deputy attorney general of Delaware from 1963 to 1964.

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 commission six days later. He served as Chief Judge from 1983 to 1985. His service was terminated on May 8, 1985, due to 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 commission the following day. He assumed senior status on June 2, 1999. His service was terminated upon his death in 2024.

Stapleton died in Penn, Pennsylvania on November 23, 2024, at the age of 90.