The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Former chief reporter for The Courier in Perth, Bill Webster
Bill Webster, former chief reporter for The Courier and Evening Telegraph in Perth, has died aged 83. Born in Dundee, Mr Webster covered a range of major news stories in a journalism career that spanned almost 40 years.
Mr Webster attended Grove Academy in Broughty Ferry, and joined DC Thomson from school as a junior reporter in 1954.
However, his reporting career went on hiatus in 1957, when he carried out national service with the Royal Army Pay Corps at Devizes in Wiltshire.
He later revisited journalism upon his return to civilian life, when he spent a year at The Courier’s Kirkcaldy office.
Mr Webster again temporarily moved away from the industry in 1960, when he became a sales representative with Heinz.
His return to journalism came when he took up a post as a member of the Perth team in 1964.
During this time, he spent years specialising in court and local authority reporting.
As his career progressed, Mr Webster covered numerous major news stories including the great flood of January 1993 and the Dunblane tragedy in 1996.
Outside journalism, Mr Webster had a lifelong passion for classical music.
A trained singer, he benefited from advice from Scottish tenor Joseph Hislop.
He also sang principal baritone roles with Broughty Ferry Amateur Operatic Society and Tayside Opera, and was a member of the John Scrimger Singers in Perth for a number of years.
His musical passion also led him to become bass leader in the St John’s Kirk choir, and he performed as a soloist.
He became a committee member of Perth Choral Society and was also a social member of Crieff Golf Club.
Mr Webster retired from The Courier in September 1998 after having spent 38 years at DC Thomson.
He is survived by his wife Jan, sister Catherine, sons David, Stephen and Andrew, daughter Hilary and three granddaughters – Clare, Sarah and Katya.
Mr Webster’s daughter Hilary said: “My father passed peacefully at home on January 6 around family.”