Notable figure William H. Webster, who led the FBI and CIA, passes away at 101 years of age
William H. Webster, an American attorney and jurist who served as the only individual to have led both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), has passed away at the age of 101.
Born on March 6, 1924, in St. Louis, Missouri, Webster attended Amherst College in Massachusetts and earned his law degree at Washington University Law School in St. Louis. He began his legal career as a practicing attorney in St. Louis from the late 1940s to the late 1950s.
Webster's public service career began when he was appointed as a U.S. District Court judge for the Eastern District of Missouri. He then served as a U.S. Circuit Judge on the Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
In 1978, Webster was appointed as the FBI director, serving under Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. He held this position until 1987, when he was appointed as the CIA director, serving under Reagan and President George H.W. Bush. He also served as the FBI director from 1978 to 1987 and then as CIA director from 1987 to 1991.
After his tenure at the CIA, Webster served as chair of the Homeland Security Advisory Council from 2005 until 2020. His career is especially significant because leading both the FBI and CIA is unique in U.S. history, highlighting his central role in American intelligence and law enforcement during the late 20th century.
Webster is survived by his second wife, Lynda Clugston Webster, three children, 7 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Drusilla Laneis.
The family of William H. Webster has announced that a memorial service for him will take place in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 18. The FBI confirmed Webster's death in a statement issued on Friday. A statement from Webster's family described him as an "extraordinary man" who spent a lifetime fighting to protect his country and its rule of law.
No details were given about how officials caught the suspected Mont. bar shooter. Additionally, no information was provided about several senior FBI leaders who were reportedly ousted without explanation.
Webster served as a U.S. Navy lieutenant in both World War II and the Korean War. His career in public service is a testament to his dedication and commitment to his country. He will be remembered as a distinguished public servant and a leader in American intelligence and law enforcement.
[1] Webster's Wikipedia page provides more detailed information about his life and career.
In the realm of policy-and-legislation, Webster's service as the FBI director from 1978 to 1987 and the CIA director from 1987 to 1991, followed by his role as chair of the Homeland Security Advisory Council from 2005 until 2020, have left a significant mark in general-news. His career in public service, spanning decades and encompassing multiple key positions in intelligence and law enforcement, is a subject of great interest in politics.
