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3d ago

William H. Webster, Only Person to Head FBI and CIA, Dies at 101

His passing draws tributes for a public servant whose bipartisan leadership restored integrity to U.S. intelligence agencies.

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)
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)
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 he had died at the age of 101.
  • He remains the only individual to lead both the FBI (1978–87 under President Carter) and CIA (1987–91 under President Reagan), stepping in to rebuild agencies shaken by scandal.
  • Webster instituted integrity-driven reforms such as removing J. Edgar Hoover’s bust from FBI headquarters and disciplining CIA officials tied to Iran-Contra practices.
  • He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1991 and later served on the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and other federal commissions.
  • A memorial service is scheduled for September 18 in Washington, D.C., where officials and former colleagues will honor his legacy.