Dr. William Dakin; Retired Veterinarian
Dr. William Dakin, an equine veterinarian for 42 years, has died in Studio City. He was 79.
Dakin, of Sherman Oaks, died Sunday of melanoma, said a family member.
Born in San Pedro, Dakin graduated from Colorado State University in 1941, where he played polo and was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He began his practice in San Diego, but soon moved to North Hollywood. He treated horses and farm animals, making house calls to ranches throughout Southern California. In addition, he provided veterinary services on movie sets.
Dakin had lifetime memberships in the Southern California Veterinary Medical Assn., the American Assn. of Equine Practitioners and the Future Farmers of America and was a member of the Elks Club in Burbank. He retired in the early 1980s, having lived in the San Fernando Valley since the early 1940s.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Lois Dakin; a son, Bill Dakin of Thousand Oaks; a daughter, Deborah Padden of North Hollywood; and three grandchildren.
A funeral, with burial to follow, is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Church of the Hills at Forest Lawn Memorial Park-Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive in Los Angeles, which handled the arrangements.
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