Willard "Bill" Dakin February 15, 1934 - January 6, 2012

Willard "Bill" Dakin passed away January 6, 2012 due to complications of congestive heart failure and myleofibrosis.

He was born in Evanston, Illinois on February 15, 1934. After graduation from New Trier High School, he graduated from Trinity College and later received his CPA.

He and Gretchen Veeder were married on January 31, 1959. They moved to California, where they raised two sons, Bill and David.

One of the greatest gifts he shared with his family was his love of the outdoors. Backpacking and skiing were regular family activities. He was a member of the National Ski Patrol, volunteering 15 years at Homewood Ski Area.

Bill worked as a CPA and then as a financial officer and partner for a manufacturing company.

After retirement, Bill and Gretchen moved to Sisters in 1993. Sisters was the perfect place for them to enjoy the outdoors. Bill loved to ski, hike, camp and fly fish. Bill was one of the founders of the Deschutes Land Trust and was instrumental in the preservation of the Indian Ford Meadow.

He also loved music and served on the board of the Sisters Jazz Festival and supported the Sisters Folk Festival.

He and Gretchen traveled extensively, taking trips to Hawaii, Fiji, Austria, Africa, Italy and New Zealand.

In addition to his wife Gretchen and his two sons, Bill is survived by his loving granddaughters Kristi and Alyssa and two loving daughter-in-laws Laura and Julie.

A celebration of his life will take place later this year.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Deschutes Land Trust, 210 N.W. Irving Ave., Ste. 102, Bend, OR 97701, or to Bend Hospice House, 2075 N.E. Wyatt Ct., Bend, OR 97701.