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Bill Hayes, best known for his role as Doug Williams on the hit soap opera "Days of Our Lives," has died. He was 98.
"Bill peacefully passed Friday morning surrounded by family including his wife, Susan Seaforth Hayes," his rep confirmed with Fox News Digital.
"Bill Hayes meant the world to me – he is simply the best that a person could ever hope to be."
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Born William Foster Hayes III, Bill Hayes died at the age of 98, his rep confirmed with Fox News Digital. Hayes was surrounded by family before his death. (Getty Images)
Born William Foster Hayes III in Harvey, Illinois in 1925, the late actor was one of the longest-running characters on "Days of Our Lives." Hayes originated the role and has portrayed Williams since 1970.
This past June, Hayes celebrated his 98th birthday with his colleagues from the soap opera.
"Thank you to our cast and crew for celebrating Billy’s 98th Birthday on set today. And the double chocolate cake was delicious!" the caption read on Bill and his wife Susan’s joint Instagram account.
Hayes celebrated his 98th birthday with his colleagues from the soap opera. (Bill Hayes, Susan Hayes/Instagram)
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In the social media video, Susan, 80, shared a special birthday speech to her beloved husband followed by the cast and crew singing him "Happy Birthday."
The series of photos continued with Bill and Susan all smiles while posing with his birthday cake, which featured a black-and-white photo of him.
The couple met on the "Days of Our Lives" television set and shared an on-screen kiss in July 1970, according to People. Bill and Susan got married in October 1974.
Actor Bill Hayes attends the "Days Of Our Lives" 50th Anniversary. (Getty Images)
Their soap opera characters additionally had a wedding ceremony on television two years later, in October 1976.
(l-r) Bill Hayes as Doug Williams, Susan Seaforth Hayes as Julie Williams, had a wedding ceremony on television two years later, in October 1976. (Getty Images)
His character was originally a con artist but grew more reputable after his character fell in love with feisty troublemaker Julie Olson, played by his wife Susan, according to IMDB.
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Bill was recognized for his decades-long work on "Days of Our Lives" in 2018, as he took home the Daytime Emmy’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his character Doug Williams. His wife Susan is also an Emmy-winning actress.
Bill Hayes (R) and Susan Seaforth Hayes pose for portrait at 45th Daytime Emmy Awards in 2018. (Getty Images)
The loving pair graced the cover of Time magazine in 1976.
Before Bill worked on the soap opera, he was a noted singer and actor on the Broadway stage and in nightclubs.
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The famed actor had five children from a previous marriage to Mary Hobbs.
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