Days of Our Lives pays devastating tribute to late Bill Hayes in final episode (2024)

THURSDAY'S episode of the iconic soap opera series marked the final appearance of a longtime cast member.

Six months after Bill Hayes' death, the 98-year-old made his final TV appearance alongside his on-and-off-screen wife, Susan Seaforth Hayes, in an emotional scene.

12

12

12

DECADES OF BILL'S LIFE

Fans have watched Bill on Days of Our Lives since 1970, when his character, Doug Williams, was first introduced as a convict-slash-lounge singer.

He received two Daytime Emmy Award nominations, in 1975 and 1976, for Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series.

Bill had a regular role on the show until 1984, followed by recurring stints in 1986 and 1987, 1993, 1994, and 1996.

He returned to the show as a full-time cast member in 1999 but was later "killed off" in 2004 by Dr. Marlena Evans, played by Deidre Hall.

Read More On Bill Hayes

Days of Our Lives pays devastating tribute to late Bill Hayes in final episode (4)
REMEMBERING BILL DOOL writer reveals how 15,000th episode will ‘honor’ late star Bill Hayes
Days of Our Lives pays devastating tribute to late Bill Hayes in final episode (5)
'ALL THE FEELS' Days of Our Lives fans cry as show mourns star's death in emotional tribute

Bill returned to the show after his on-screen death turned out to be a hoax, with longtime viewers ecstatic to see his character, Doug, alive and well on a tropical island.

12

LOVE ON-AND-OFF-SCREEN

In October 1974, Bill married his on-screen wife, Susan Seaforth Hayes, who has famously portrayed Julie Olson Williams since 1968.

The duo was considered one of television's first super-couples, and are the only soap opera characters to appear on the cover of Time Magazine.

The couple graced the cover on January 12, 1976 – decades before Bill's death on January 12, 2024.

Most read in Soaps

FINAL DAYGeneral Hospital’s Kelly shares last scene and says firing ‘doesn’t make sense’

UNLUCKYGeneral Hospital fans plead for change after spotting star's 'grimy clothes'

BOLD MOVESBold and Beautiful, Young and Restless, and Days of our Lives adds stars

GONE IN A FINCHGeneral Hospital loses another fan-favorite star after Kelly Monaco's exit

Susan later appeared on The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, and the short-lived soap opera series, Sunset Beach.

12

In 2005, the power couple co-wrote their joint autobiography, Like Sands Through the Hourglass.

In 2018, Susan and Bill received a joint Lifetime Achievement Award at the 45th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

FINAL BOW

Bill's final appearance on Days of Our Lives occurred on Thursday, July 11, 2024.

He shared his final scene with his TV and real-life wife, Susan.

12

During the emotional scene, the couple reflected on the life and love they've shared over the last few decades.

"Did I ever tell you how much I love you?" Julie, played by Susan, asked Doug, played by Bill.

"Nope, you never did," Doug responded, laughing, as reported by TVLine.

"I had become a new man. I had to change to deserve you," Doug added.

12

"Oh, you brought out the best in me. And we’ve been a good team — good partners, I think," Julie added.

"We did a good job together with raising Hope," Doug added.

"You’re a wonderful father. You know, for a guy who grew up in an orphanage, you’re quite a family man," Julie said.

"You never let anyone in this family down, not ever. You showed me the whole world, every continent."

12

"And after we had our little adventures, saw all the beauty of the earth, our love outlasted time," she added.

"Now you better give me another kiss," Doug requested.

"My pleasure," Julie said.

The episode notably aired on Susan's 81st birthday.

“The last scene that Billy and I shot together, it was created as a love scene," Susan shared with TV Insider.

“And I was allowed to add some lines to the scene, between ourselves," she continued.

"The last line I wrote for Billy was, ‘Give me another kiss.’ So that’s for the audience, and that’s from him," she added.

12

REST IN PEACE

Shortly after Bill passed away on January 12, 2024, Susan posted an emotional tribute to her longtime husband on the couple's joint Instagram.

"To all of you who honored my Billy with a word of remembrance, a sense of personal loss, or even a tear- I thank you," she captioned the post, which included photobooth snaps of the stars in their younger years.

"You touched my heart by seeing in him the goodness and joy I experienced every moment of our wonderful marriage."

12

"May we all embrace life with the gusto of Bill Hayes- and enrich it with grace and love," she added, signing off with a red heart emoji and "xx Susan."

IN MEMORIAM

While Bill's final scene – and episode – already aired, his character isn't leaving the long-running soap opera for good.

Bill's character, Doug, will reportedly be memorialized in December 2024, with the "entire town of Salem" set to pay tribute to the star, as reported by TVLine.

Longtime viewers and fans of the show, Bill, and his on-screen persona, Doug, paid their respects to the star on social media.

"Today is bittersweet for fans of the legendary Bill Hayes," wrote one X user.

12

"Can’t imagine what Susan & his family are feeling as his last appearance as #DougWilliams on #Days airs. Bill will live on in the hearts of all the many people that love him. #BillandSusanHayes a beautiful love story," they added.

"Bill Hayes will always be remembered as a kind and gentle soul," tweeted another user.

"Doug and Julie are the OG Supercouple #DoulieAlways," they added.

12

"I'm not ready for this. I'll never be ready for this. I have adored this amazing couple," tweeted another user, alongside the hashtag #Days.

Read More on The US Sun

Days of Our Lives pays devastating tribute to late Bill Hayes in final episode (19)
TAKING THE MIC Was Celine Dion's Olympics show FAKED? Shock claims it was 'pre-recorded'
Days of Our Lives pays devastating tribute to late Bill Hayes in final episode (20)
GEORG YOUR MEMORY Can you pick US cities from nicknames? Test your geography knowledge

"I've been ready to cry, seriously, over what's happening in our country right now. Seeing this? I have a feeling it will all come out," tweeted another user.

"I never met Bill Hayes, nor his loving wife Susan, but I grew up watching them, and it's like watching some extended part of your family," they added.

Celebrities on Days of Our Lives

Days of Our Lives has been airing since 1965.

Here are a list of celebs who have appeared on Days of Our Lives.

  • Christina Applegate (1972)
  • Kathie Lee Gifford (1975)
  • Pat Sajak (1983)
  • Pamela Anderson (1992)
  • Lisa Rina (1992 to 1995)
  • Mila Kunis (1994)
  • Tara Reid (1995)
  • LeAnn Rhimes (1995)
  • Jensen Ackles (1997 to 2000)
  • Ashley Benson (2004 to 2007)
  • Kyle Richards (2013)
Days of Our Lives pays devastating tribute to late Bill Hayes in final episode (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Last Updated:

Views: 5776

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Birthday: 2000-07-07

Address: 5050 Breitenberg Knoll, New Robert, MI 45409

Phone: +2556892639372

Job: Investor Mining Engineer

Hobby: Sketching, Cosplaying, Glassblowing, Genealogy, Crocheting, Archery, Skateboarding

Introduction: My name is The Hon. Margery Christiansen, I am a bright, adorable, precious, inexpensive, gorgeous, comfortable, happy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.