We are sorry to share the sad news… you can continue reading below. Bill Hayes, the beloved soap opera star, passed away earlier this year, leaving behind many loved ones who continue to hold him in their hearts. He was best known for his kindness and work ethic, which contributed to his long career.
On January 12, Bill Hayes died of natural causes in his home at the age of 98. Incredibly, he continued to work until the weeks before his death. We had a conversation that we have had many times in real life that begins with a sentence from me: “Have I told you how much I love you?” And he replied, “No. No. You never did,” Seaforth Hayes, his last wife, said of the last scene they played together. Bill Hayes was born William Foster Hayes III on June 5, 1925, at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey.
His parents were Betty Hayes, a teacher, and William Foster Hayes II, an executive in an encyclopedia company. Even before Bill Hayes began his 53-year career on “Days of Our Lives,” he was destined for Hollywood stardom. He and his brothers grew up in a music-filled household, lulled to sleep by the “happy songs” at night. Meanwhile, Hayes, his two brothers and his father sang in a quartet in the house.
Bill Hayes enrolled at DePauw University for a year, but then joined the Navy, where he became a fighter pilot. After the war, he returned to school and graduated with a liberal arts degree in 1947. He later landed a role in the musical “Carousel” and appeared in numerous theater productions. In 1949, he made his television debut, singing on “Fireball Fun-for-All,” an NBC variety show.
