Bill Hayes, best known for his portrayal of Doug Williams on the long-running soap opera series Days of Our Lives, has died at the age of 98.
The news of the late artist's death was confirmed in a statement to TVLine on Friday.
The official cause of death of the actor, who celebrated his 98th birthday on the set of the series, has not been announced.
The statement regarding Hayes' death began by illustrating the impact the performer had on the show.
“Bill is one of the longest-running characters on Days Of Our Lives. “He originated the role of Doug Williams in 1970 and continued to portray him throughout his life,” it said.
Bill Hayes, best known for his portrayal of Doug Williams on the long-running soap opera series Days of Our Lives, has died at the age of 98; Seen in 2015
The performer's connection to his longtime wife and co-star Susan Seaforth Hayes was also made clear in the statement, describing them as “the foundation of the Williams-Horton family.”
The series' executive producer, Ken Corday, went on to talk about how Hayes, who first portrayed Williams in 1970 and reprized the role over the next five decades, would be sorely missed by his loved ones.
“I have known Bill for most of my life and he embodied the heart and soul of Days of our Lives.” “While we mourn and will miss him, Bill's indelible legacy will live on in our hearts and the stories we tell, both on and off screen,” he said.
The late artist, whose birth name was William Foster Hayes III, was born on June 5, 1925 in Harvey, Illinois.
The actor joined the Navy Air Corps in 1943 while attending DePauw University and trained as a fighter pilot for over two years, although World War II ended shortly before his retirement.
Hayes earned a Bachelor of Arts in music and English and received a doctorate from West Virginia University in 1998.
The artist's first marriage was to Mary Hobbs, which lasted from 1947 to 1969, and during their marriage the couple had a total of five children.
The late actor met Seaforth Hayes, who plays Julie Olson Williams on Days Of Our Lives, on the set of the soap opera, and they married in 1974.
The official cause of death of the actor – who celebrated his 98th birthday on the set of the show – has not been announced; seen with Mrs. Susan Seaforth Hayes
The late artist, whose birth name was William Foster Hayes III, was born June 5, 1925 in Harvey, Illinois; Seen in 2018
The late actor met Seaforth Hayes, who plays Julie Olson Williams on Days Of Our Lives, on the set of the soap opera, and they married in 1974
Hayes portrayed Williams regularly from 1970 to 1984 and again from 1986 to 1987, after which he appeared repeatedly as the character over the next few decades; Seen with Seaforth Hayes in 2018
Throughout his career, he received two separate Daytime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series; Seen in 2015
Hayes portrayed Williams regularly from 1970 to 1984 and again from 1986 to 1987, after which he continued to appear as the character over the next few decades.
Throughout his career, he received two separate Daytime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
The late performer also had a musical career and recorded a version of “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” which gained widespread popularity upon its release in 1955.
A documentary film about Hayes' life entitled “World by the Tail” was released to the public in 2017.