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yesterday

William H. Webster, Only Director of Both FBI and CIA, Dies at 101

Renowned for restoring public confidence after revelations of domestic spying, Webster led the FBI then the CIA through reforms that reshaped U.S. intelligence.

FILE - William H. Webster, left, is congratulated by President Jimmy Carter after being sworn in as new director of the FBI in Washington, Feb. 23, 1978. (AP Photo/Harvey Georges, File)
FILE - Former FBI director and CIA director William Webster, right, accompanied by his wife Lynda Webster, who were targeted by a man who peddled a lottery scam over phone calls and emails, speaks during a news conference to address elder financial exploitation and law enforcement actions, at the Department of Justice in Washington, March 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
FILE - Former FBI Director William H. Webster looks on during the commemoration of the bloodiest events in the Bureau's history on the 25th anniversary of a Miami shootout in which two agents were killed, in North Miami Beach, Fla., April 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz, File)
President Jimmy Carter, left, smiles as Chief Justice Warren Burger administers the oath of office to new FBI Director William H. Webster in Washington on February 23, 1978.

Overview

  • His family announced on August 8 that Webster passed away at age 101, remembering him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and patriot.
  • Webster remains the sole individual to have headed the FBI from 1978 to 1987 and the CIA from 1987 to 1991.
  • President Jimmy Carter tapped him to clean up the FBI’s reputation following revelations of domestic spying and internal corruption under J. Edgar Hoover.
  • President Ronald Reagan appointed Webster to restore the CIA’s credibility amid the Iran-Contra scandal, where he imposed stricter oversight and disciplined involved officials.
  • Before his federal leadership roles, Webster served as a Navy lieutenant in World War II and the Korean War and held federal judgeships in Missouri from 1970 to 1978.