LEGEND: LOST honors the late Bill Hayes with a heartfelt homage in its last episode. “It’s the end of an era,” say the fans.

A longstanding cast member made their final appearance on Thursday’s episode of the well-known soap series.

Bill Hayes, 98, made his final television appearance in an emotional scene with his on-screen and off-screen spouse, Susan Seaforth Hayes, six months after his passing.

Since 1970, when Bill’s character Doug Williams first appeared on Days of Our Lives as a prisoner who also performed at a lounge, fans have been watching Bill.

He received two nominations for Daytime Emmy Awards: one for Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series in 1975 and another in 1976.

Up until 1984, Bill had a recurring role in the show. He went on to play recurring parts in 1986 and 1987 as well as 1993, 1994, and 1996.

He joined the cast full-time in 1999, but Deidre Hall’s character, Dr. Marlena Evans, “killed him off” in 2004.

After it was revealed that Bill’s character Doug’s supposed death on the show was a deception, longtime fans were overjoyed to see him alive and well on a tropical island.

In October 1974, Bill tied the knot with Susan Seaforth Hayes, his on-screen spouse. Hayes has been well-known for her portrayal as Julie Olson Williams since 1968.

They are the only soap opera characters to have been on the cover of Time Magazine, and many believed they were among the first “super-couples” on television.

Susan later appeared in short-lived soap operas Sunset Beach, The Young and the Restless, and The Bold and the Beautiful.

In 2005, they collaborated on writing their autobiography, titled Like Sands Through the Hourglass.

At the 45th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 2018, Susan and Bill each received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

FINAL BOW
Days of Our Lives viewers last saw Bill on Thursday, July 11, 2024.

Susan, his real-life and television wife, was beside him in his final moment.

The pair discussed their life together and their deep affection for one another in the touching encounter.

“Have I ever expressed my love for you?” Doug, who portrayed Bill, was requested by Sue, who played Julie.

According to TVLine, Doug chuckled and stated, “Nope, you never did.”

“I had changed since then.” Doug remarked, “I had to change to earn you.”

“Oh, you really lifted my spirits.”We’ve worked effectively together as a team and as partners, in my opinion,” Julie stated.

“Together, we did an excellent job raising Hope,” he remarked.

You’re a wonderful father. “You’re very family-oriented for someone who was raised in an orphanage,” Julie remarked.

“Never fail anyone in this family, period.” Yes, you did show me the entire universe.

“And our love lasted time after we had our little adventures and saw all the beauty of the earth,” she remarked.

“Now you better give me another kiss,” inquired Doug.

Julie said, “No issue.”

It’s significant that the program debuted on Susan’s 81st birthday.

“The last scene Billy and I shot together was meant to be a love scene,” Susan revealed to TV Insider.

She added, “I was also allowed to add a few lines to the scene between us.”

“My final note to Billy read, ‘Give me another kiss.'” That’s from him, and that’s for the crowd, she said.

The post included photos of the celebrities when they were younger. “To everyone who remembered my Billy with a note of condolence, a feeling of individual loss, or even a tear—I thank you,” the caption read.

“You warmed my heart by recognizing in him the goodness and happiness I felt throughout our amazing marriage.”

She concluded with a red heart emoji and “xx Susan,” saying, “May we all live our lives with the zest of Bill Hayes and fill them with grace and love.”

Although IN MEMORY OF Bill’s final scene and episode have already aired, he will not be permanently leaving the popular serial drama.

According to TVLine, the “entire town of Salem” will celebrate Bill’s Doug in December 2024.

On social media, Bill and Doug, who portrayed Bill in the show, expressed their admiration for the celebrity. They were both ardent viewers and devotees of the program.

One X user said, “Today is both sad and happy for Bill Hayes fans.”

“The state of affairs in our nation makes me want to cry so badly right now.” Observing this? Another person on Twitter stated, “I think it will all come out.”

The couple remarked, “I grew up watching Bill Hayes and his loving wife Susan, and it’s like watching some extended part of your family. I never met Bill Hayes, though.”