Bill Hayes, ‘Days of Our Lives’ star dies at 98

Longtime star of “Day of Our Lives” soap opera, Bill Hayes, died Friday at the age of 98.

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Hayes was born William Foster Hayes III, according to People magazine.

Since 1970, Hayes played Doug Williams on “Day of Our Lives,” according to Variety.

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of our beloved Bill Hayes. One of the longest-running characters on “Days of Our Lives”, Bill originated the role of ‘Doug Williams’ in 1970 and portrayed him continuously throughout his life,” a representative for the television series told People.

He met his wife, actress Susan Seaforth, on the show as well. Seaforth and Hayes got married in 1974 and according to Variety, their characters on the show also got married about two years later.

“I have known Bill for most of my life and he embodied the heart and soul of ‘Days of our Lives,’ " said executive producer Ken Corday, according to Variety. “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.”

Hayes earned two Daytime Emmy nominations for his role on the soap opera in 1975 and 1978. According to Variety, both Hayes and Seaforth-Hayes earned lifetime achievement awards in 2018 from the Daytime Emmy Awards.

Before he was a part of the soap opera world, Hayes was a regular on the TV variety program from Sid Caesar called “Your Show of Shows,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. He also recorded and sang lead vocals in the song, “The Ballad of Davy Crockett, which went to No. 1 in March 1955.

Hayes also worked with Florence Henderson who went on to become a star on the “Brady Bunch.” They two were known as “The Singing Sweethearts,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. The two sang about Oldsmobilies in TV commercials.

Hayes is survived by his son, William Foster Hayes IV, according to People.

No cause of death has been released.

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