The former director of the FBI and CIA died at the age of 101, his family said Friday, according to multiple news reports.
William H. Webster led the FBI from 1978 to 1987 and the CIA from 1987 to 1991. He was the only person to lead both the FBI and the CIA. (RELATED: Biden-Appointed Judge Shoots Down FBI Agents For Suing Trump Admin Without A Shred Of Evidence)
The FBI gave condolences. “The FBI sends our prayers and condolences to the family of William H. Webster, former FBI Director, who passed away earlier today He was a dedicated public servant who spent over 60 years in service to our country, including in the U.S. Navy, as a federal judge, director of the CIA, and his term as our Director from 1978-1987. We are grateful for his life and legacy and wish his family, friends, and colleagues peace and comfort during this time.”
The FBI mourns the passing of Judge William H. Webster, who served as Director of the FBI from 1978 to 1987. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and former colleagues. Judge Webster’s unwavering commitment to justice leaves a lasting legacy. We are forever… pic.twitter.com/yg5SECvdGx
— FBI (@FBI) August 9, 2025
“We are proud of the extraordinary man we had in our lives who spent a lifetime fighting to protect his country and its precious rule of law,” his family said in a statement, according to multiple reports.
We are devastated by the passing of our dear friend Judge William Webster. He was far more than the only person in history to serve as the Director of both the CIA (Director of Central Intelligence) and FBI; he was a man who demonstrated distinction and honor in every aspect of… pic.twitter.com/Kor7r96ySh
— The International Spy Museum (@IntlSpyMuseum) August 9, 2025
Before leading the nation’s top law enforcement agency and the country’s main intelligence agency, Webster served as a federal prosecutor, eight years as a federal judge, and in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War.
After the FBI had its reputation run through the mud from spying domestically and abusing its power, former President Jimmy Carter tapped the Republican to improve its reputation. President Ronald Reagan then requested that Webster lead the CIA since the director at the time—William J. Casey—was too political.
The Securities and Exchange Commission in 2002 tapped Webster to lead a Congress-created board to oversee the accounting profession in response to scandals by Enron and other companies.
