William Eakin (June 14, 1828 – March 14, 1918) was a farmer and political figure in the Northwest Territories, Canada.

Here he involved himself in local affairs, eventually winning election to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories for the district of Saltcoats, serving from 1894 to 1902.

In 1873, along with his brother, George, Eakin built a planing mill near a new Canadian Pacific Railway line, where they manufactured doors, sashes, wagons, carriages, agricultural implants, cabinets, furniture, and coffins.

He later ran in 1894 for the new district of Saltcoats and won election to the legislative assembly of the Northwest Territories, as a Liberal.

During his time in office, as the issue of provincial status for the territories, drawing the borders particularly became a perennial debate.

[8] In the opening of the 1899 legislative session, Eakin was nominated by premier Frederick Haultain and member Robert Brett to serve in the post as speaker.

Assuming the office at the age of 70, the predominant issues of the session were again those of provincial status for the North-West Territory, and whether boundaries would be drawn to include one or two provinces.

[8] On one occasion was Eakin required to use his casting vote as speaker, to break a deadlock on an 1899 bill regarding land titles and offices.

Alexander Hunter was also active in Markham Township affairs, serving on the town council and as a deputy reeve in 1852.

Eakin and his wife had six children; five daughters and one son, Elizabeth, Otelia, Edna, Nella, Margaret, and Gordon.

[7] In the early 1900s, his speaker's chair in the legislature was donated to the Saltcoats Canadian Legion by Saskatchewan Premier Thomas MacNutt.