Judge Walter E. Webster

DIVISION I, POSITION 2

January 15, 1985–December 31, 2001

Appointed by Governor Spellman; Retired

Walter Webster, Jr. was born October 30, 1926 and raised as a member of a pioneer family in Ellensburg, Washington. Judge Webster attended the local schools and graduated with honors. He served for two years as a member of the U.S. Naval Air Corp. and later retired with the rank of Lt. Col. Upon his discharge, he enrolled in Seattle University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in business. He completed his study of law from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

While at Georgetown, Judge Webster worked in the U.S. Senate under the patronage of Senator Warren Magnuson. His law career included working as an assistant attorney general in the Legal Opinion section and the Department of Labor and Industries and serving as a King County deputy prosecutor in the criminal and civil divisions. He was appointed as a special assistant attorney general for the King County Boundary Review Board and served in that capacity for 14 years. He served as Chairman of the Higher Education Facility Authority.

Judge Webster practiced law in Seattle and Bellevue for several years, specializing in land use, municipal law, and personal injury trial practice. He served on the staff of Seattle University as a teacher of basic law. Judge Webster taught search and seizure and constitutional law at the Seattle Police Academy.

In December 1984, Governor John Spellman appointed Judge Webster to the Washington State Court of Appeals. Judge Webster served as Acting Chief of Division One, Chief Judge of Division One, and Presiding Chief Judge of all three state divisions. He also served on many judicial committees, including the State Rules Committee and the Board of Judicial Administration. Judge Webster was a member of all Washington State and Federal courts and a member of the Washington D.C. bar. Judge Webster served on the Court of Appeals until he retired in 2001 and joined the Mercer Island law firm Lybeck Murphy.

Judge Webster was active in many legal, civil, and charitable organizations. He served as the President of Seattle University Alumni and as a member of its Board of Regents. He was president of the Washington State Guard Association and served on the Board of Directors for the King County Museum of Flight.

Judge Webster and his wife Frances had eight children, all having gone through the Seattle area schools and further attending the University of Washington, Western Washington State University, Washington State University, and Seattle University. Judge Webster passed away on June 21, 2004 at the age of 77. Judge Webster "touched people wherever he went. He had a joy for life that showed in everything he did and he had an amazing sense of humor that never failed him."