William Malcolm Sackett, retired distinguished research professor at the Department of Marine Sciences, University of South Florida, died 30 November 2003, from acute leukemia. He was 73. Bill was admired as an outstanding geochemist and dearly loved as a colleague and friend. Born on 14 November 1930, in St. Louis, Bill was active in sports in his high school years. He lettered in cross-country and helped his high school track team win the Missouri State Track Crown in 1946. Bill chose, however, to follow a scientific life, a rewarding choice, but one that carried more risk than one might imagine.