William H. Webster Passes Away at 101

William H. Webster, who once held leadership positions in both the FBI and the CIA, has died at the age of 101, as reported by his family and various news outlets on Friday.

Webster served as the FBI director from 1978 until 1987 and then led the CIA from 1987 to 1991, making him the only person to have held both roles. The FBI expressed its condolences, noting the loss of a significant figure.

“The FBI offers our prayers and condolences to the family of former director William H. Webster,” the agency stated.

In a tweet, the FBI mentioned, “We express deep sadness to his family, friends, and former colleagues. The judge’s unwavering commitment to justice leaves a lasting legacy.” The message was accompanied by a photo honoring Webster.

His family reflected on his extraordinary contributions, saying, “We are proud of the incredible people in our lives, who dedicated themselves to protecting our country and its fundamental principles of law.”

The International Spy Museum also shared their sorrow, remarking, “We are devastated by the death of our dear friend, Judge William Webster. He was not just a historical figure for leading both the CIA and the FBI; he exemplified honor and distinction in every way.”

Before taking on these influential roles, Webster had a career as a federal prosecutor and spent eight years as a federal judge. His service in the U.S. Navy included stints during World War II and the Korean War.

After some controversies surrounding FBI operations, former President Jimmy Carter enlisted Webster, a Republican, to help restore the agency’s image. Later, President Ronald Reagan appointed him to the CIA, citing concerns about the previous director’s political motives.

In 2002, Webster was selected by the Securities and Exchange Commission to lead a board established by Congress to oversee accounting professionals, a response to the financial scandals involving companies like Enron.