DAYS of Our Lives star Bill Hayes has died at 98-years-old after spending decades on the long-running soap opera.
Bill portrayed the beloved character Doug Williams for over 50 years on Days of Our Lives.
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Bill’s death was revealed in a statement from the daytime program, Deadline reported Friday.
The late actor debuted on the daytime program in 1970 and continued on it until 2023.
Bill acted alongside his real-life wife, Emmy-winning Susan Seaforth Hayes, 80.
On television, they were Doug and Julie Williams, the patriarch and matriarch of the Williams-Horton family.
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As noted in the statement shared with the news outlet.
“[Bill] and his wife, Susan Seaforth-Hayes, remained the foundation of the Williams-Horton family spanning more than 50 years,” the statement recognized.
Furthermore, Bill was also the “heart and soul” of the award-winning series, in the eyes of Days of Our Lives Executive Producer Ken Corday, 73.
“I have known Bill for most of my life, and he embodied the heart and soul of Days of Our Lives,” Ken shared.
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“Although we are grieving and will miss him, Bill’s indelible legacy will live on in our hearts and the stories we tell, both on and off the screen.”
‘BILL WILL BE MISSED’
In a thread on X, formerly known as Twitter, soap opera fans disclosed how heartbroken they were to learn that Bill died, emphasizing how much he’d be missed.
“Oh noooo! He will be surely missed!,” a fan tweeted.
A second fan admitted: “Such sad news he was a staple on #days I’m sending all my love and prayers to his family and friends and all who knew him such a tragic loss he will be deeply missed.”
A third person added: “We were lucky to have seen him at Christmas. He won’t be forgotten.”
SAYING GOOD BYE
Throughout the show’s 58 seasons, fans have had to say goodbye to several beloved characters, including many in 2023.
For more than 50 years, Jennifer Aniston’s father, John Aniston, portrayed the role of Victor Kiriakis on DOOL.
Sadly, he was unable to continue his role in 2023 because he passed away on November 11, 2022, at the age of 89.
“Sweet papa … John Anthony Aniston You were one of the most beautiful humans I ever knew,” Aniston’s daughter wrote in an Instagram tribute.
” I am so grateful that you went soaring into the heavens in peace – and without pain. And on 11/11 no less! You always had perfect timing. That number will forever hold an even greater meaning for me now I’ll love you till the end of time.”
John’s last performance as Victor was on December 26, 2022.
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