'Days of Our Lives' actor Bill Hayes dead at 98

Fox News ^ | 1/13/24 | Stephanie Giang-Paunon

[Buttons12]

Bill Hayes, best known for his role as Doug Williams on the hit soap opera "Days of Our Lives," has died. He was 98.

"Bill peacefully passed Friday morning surrounded by family including his wife, Susan Seaforth Hayes," his rep confirmed with Fox News Digital.

[Buttons12]

Fifty years + on soap opera, Days of Our Lives. Half of the first "supercouple" of soap. Before that, he worked with Sid Caesar on "Your Show of Shows" and sang the hit "Ballad of Davy Crockett." Hayes was a WW2 veteran. RIP.

[Sarah Barracuda]

I remember him well. I was a die hard days of our lives fan til they went lefty many years ago..before that was a big fan, even went to the Days meet and greet event in Burbank at Castaways Restaurant, most of them were really nice..RIP

[pookie18]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPAyYkeatHU

[Fledermaus]

Can’t forget Doug and Julie.

He was on a Frasier episode once.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Before that, he worked with Sid Caesar on "Your Show of Shows" and sang the hit "Ballad of Davy Crockett."

"Davy, Davy Crocket, King of the Wild Frontier."

[Buttons12]

He made an appearance on Days, with fellow nonagenarian Dick Van Dyke, a few months ago. Singing “Tea for Two.”

[CatOwner]

Speaking of Dick Van Dyke, he wrote a book (maybe 10 years ago?) about his life. He talked about how Walt Disney wanted him in his Disney movies. Walt explained the main reason why was because of an interview Van Dyke gave espousing family values. Walt felt that made him a great role model for the Disney fans. Times have certainly changed in that regard, and not for the better.

[ronniesgal]

i used to watch the soaps with my mom after school while she was ironing.
I was young and did not “get” alot of the plotlines.
Doug and Julie were so glamorous to me.

[TChad]

...a great role model for the Disney fans. Times have certainly changed in that regard...

He might still be a great role model for the fans, but certainly not for Disney employees and management, who want Disney to mass market kiddie porn.

[edie1960]

Doug and Julie were so glamorous to me.

>>>My heart breaks for Susan Seaforth Hayes.

The ultimate 50 year Love Story & Marriage on screen and off as Doug & Julie and more importantly as Bill & Susan.

Feel bad about missing their last Days’ scenes after NBC basically cancelled the soap and it went behind a pay wall on Peacock.

RIP Bill and prayers for Susan to face life without her soul mate!!

[Thistledew]

I went to high school with his son, from 1968 to 1972, in Olympia Fields, Il. He occasionally attended and spoke at events at Rich Central, as I remember.

[murron]

P