William H. Webster

**William Hedgcock Webster** (March 6, 1924 – August 8, 2025) was an American attorney, and jurist. He was the Chairman Emeritus of the Homeland Security Advisory Council. Previously Webster was the third Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from 1978 to 1987 and Director of Central Intelligence from 1987 to 1991. He is the only person to have been in charge of both the CIA and FBI.

Webster was born on March 6, 1924 in St. Louis, Missouri. He studied at Amherst College and at Washington University in St. Louis.

In 1978, President Jimmy Carter appointed him as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This was despite Webster being a registered Republican.

In 1987, President Ronald Reagan appointed him director of the Central Intelligence Agency. He led the CIA until his retirement from public office in 1991. After this, Webster practiced law at Milbank, where he specialized in arbitration, mediation and internal investigation.

Webster was married to Drusilla Lane Webster from 1950 until her death in 1984. They had three children. He married Lynda Clugston in 1990, and was married to her until his death in 2025.

Webster turned 100 in March 2024.

Webster died at a care facility in Warrenton, Virginia on August 8, 2025, at the age of 101.

## Infobox (officeholder)

- **birthname**: William Hedgcock Webster
- **image**: Williamwebster.jpg
- **office**: Chairperson of the Homeland Security Advisory Council
- **president**: George W. Bush
Barack Obama
Donald Trump
- **deputy**: James R. Schlesinger, James Schlesinger
Gary Hart
William J. Bratton, Bill Bratton
- **term start**: August 10, 2005
- **term end**: August 18, 2020
- **predecessor**: Position established
- **successor**: William Bratton
- **office2**: 14th Director of Central Intelligence
- **president2**: Ronald Reagan
George H. W. Bush
- **term start2**: May 26, 1987
- **term end2**: September, 1991
- **predecessor2**: William J. Casey, William Casey
- **successor2**: Robert Gates
- **office3**: 3rd Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
- **president3**: Jimmy Carter
Ronald Reagan
- **term start3**: February 23, 1978
- **term end3**: May 25, 1987
- **predecessor3**: James B. Adams, James Adams <small>(Acting)</small>
- **successor3**: John E. Otto, John Otto <small>(Acting)</small>
- **office4**: Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- **nominator4**: Richard Nixon
- **term start4**: July 18, 1973
- **term end4**: February 22, 1978
- **predecessor4**: Marion Charles Matthes, Marion Matthes
- **successor4**: Theodore McMillian
- **office5**: Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
- **nominator5**: Richard Nixon
- **term start5**: December 21, 1970
- **term end5**: July 18, 1973
- **predecessor5**: Seat established
- **successor5**: John Francis Nangle, John Nangle
- **birth place**: St. Louis, Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
- **death place**: Warrenton, Virginia, Warrenton, Virginia, U.S.
- **alma mater**: Amherst College
Washington University School of Law, Washington University in St. Louis
- **party**: Republican Party (United States), Republican
- **spouse**: