Veteran FBI and CIA head William H. Webster passes away at the age of 101
Former FBI and CIA Director William H. Webster Passes Away at 101
William H. Webster, an American attorney, jurist, and intelligence official, passed away on August 8, 2025, at the age of 101. Known for being the only person to have led both the FBI and the CIA, Webster dedicated over six decades of his life to public service.
Born on March 6, 1924, in St. Louis, Missouri, Webster began his career by serving as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War. After military service, he practiced law at Armstrong Teasdale in St. Louis from 1949 to 1959 and again from 1962 to 1970. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri (1960–1961).
In the 1970s, Webster was appointed as a U.S. District Court judge and then a U.S. Court of Appeals judge. After resigning from the appellate bench in 1978, he became director of the FBI, a position he held until 1987. His leadership helped restore the agency’s public trust following previous scandals, and he oversaw significant prosecutions, including major mafia cases.
In 1987, Webster became director of the CIA, continuing his reputation for integrity and steady leadership. He served in this role until 1991.
After leaving government service, Webster joined the Washington DC law firm Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy, focusing on arbitration, mediation, and internal investigations. From 2005 to 2020, he chaired the Homeland Security Advisory Council. He was also a long-standing member of The American Law Institute.
Webster was predeceased by his first wife, Drusilla Lane. He is survived by his second wife, Lynda Clugston Webster, three children, 7 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren.
The FBI confirmed Webster's death in a statement on Friday. His family described him as an extraordinary man who spent a lifetime fighting to protect his country and its rule of law. A memorial service for Webster will take place in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 18.
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Throughout his illustrious career, William H. Webster, the former Director of both the FBI and CIA, frequently weighed in on policies and legislation regarding war-and-conflicts and politics, offering insights during general news discussions as a seasoned public servant. Despite retiring in 1991, Webster remained actively involved in policy matters until his passing on September 18, 2025, serving on the Homeland Security Advisory Council from 2005 to 2020, providing invaluable expertise in the field of policy-and-legislation.
