webster was born in st. louis, missouri and received his early education in webster groves, missouri; and served as a lieutenant in the united states navy during world war ii. following his service in the navy, he received his bachelor of arts degree from amherst college, amherst, massachusetts in 1947. while at amherst, he was a member of the psi upsilon fraternity. he received his from the washington university school of law in st. louis in 1949. after law school, he served in the navy again during the korean war; later, he joined a st. louis law firm, but left private practice soon after to begin a career in public service. he was the united states attorney for the eastern district of missouri from 1960 to 1961, then a member of the missouri board of law examiners from 1964 to 1969.