Veteran actor Bill Hayes died January 12, 2024 in Los Angeles at the age of 98. No official cause of death was given.
Hayes was best known for his role as Doug Williams in the daytime drama “Days of Our Lives”. He and his wife Susan were the foundation of the Williams-Horton family on the show for over 50 years. Hayes originated the role of Williams when he first joined the show in 1970. Over the course of his career on “Days”, he appeared in over 2,100 episodes.
Making his screen debut in 1952 as Chancellor “Chance” Whitelaw on “Stop, You’re Killing Me”; Hayes appeared in a little over two dozen productions during his career. Along with “Days of Our Lives” his performances include “The Yeomen of the Guard”, “Little Women”, “Kiss Me, Kate”, “Once Upon a Mattress”, an episode of “Matlock”, was Neil “Sully” Sulivan in a episode of “Fraiser”, and “Miracle at Gate 213”.
Hayes turned an on screen love affair into a real life one and in 1974 he married Susan to make life imitate art.
He was born William Foster Hayes III on June 5, 1925 in Harvey, Illinois. The son of a bookseller, he joined the Navy as an airman during World War II.
He married his first wife May while at De Pauw University. The couple had five children.
A tenor, he performed in a tour of “Carousel” in 1947. Prior to his acting debut he worked as a singing telegram performer, member of barbershop quartets, in a jazz group, and was a choir director.
Hayes is survived by his second wife of nearly 50 years Susan, children – Carolyn, William, Catherine, Thomas, and Margaret -, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
DOOL Actor Bill Hayes Dies
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