Days of Our Lives: Bill Hayes Makes Final Appearance as Doug Williams, Six Months After His Death

July 11, 2024 will be remembered as another historic day in Salem, albeit for a reason no one ever hoped would come. Thursday’s episode of Days of Our Lives marked the final appearance of Bill Hayes as Doug Williams, six months after the longtime cast member’s death at the age of 98.

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Appropriately, Hayes shared his final on-screen moments with Susan Seaforth Hayes, his beloved wife of 50 years. Fans have cherished watching the couple’s love story unfold, both on screen and off, making their last scene together all the more devastating.

After Julie revealed to Doug that Abigail might still be alive , the couple briefly reflected on the time they’ve spent together, celebrating the love they’ve shared along the way. Read on to experience their final on-screen interaction in full:

JULIE: Chad and Abby never really did have much time together, and you and I had years and years. Did I ever tell you how much I love you?

DOUG: [ Laughs ] Nope, you never did.

JULIE: First time I set eyes on you, I was lost. Then, all the trials we had, all those missed connections. And then I finally won the gold ring. And all your songs were for me. All your passionate kisses were mine.

DOUG: I had become a new man. I had to change to deserve you.

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

DOUG: We did a good job together with raising Hope.

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JULIE: You’re a wonderful father. You know, for a guy who grew up in an orphanage, you’re quite a family man. You never let anyone in this family down, not ever. You showed me the whole world, every continent. And after we had our little adventures, saw all the beauty of the earth, our love outlasted time.

DOUG: Now you better give me another kiss.

JULIE: My pleasure.

While we’ve now seen Hayes’ final appearance on screen, his character won’t be properly memorialized until December, when the entire town of Salem — plus the return of many important people in Doug’s life — will pay tribute to the unforgettable man. Among the former cast members returning for the bittersweet occasion are Kristian Alfonso as Hope, Melissa Reeves as Jennifer, Stephen Schnetzer as Steve Olson and Gloria Loring as Liz Chandler.

“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,” Seaforth Hayes wrote in a message to fans earlier this year. “You touched my heart by seeing in him the goodness and joy I experienced every moment of our wonderful marriage. May we all embrace life with the gusto of Bill Hayes, and enrich it with grace and love.”

Hayes originated the role of Doug in 1970, and was twice nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for his work, first in 1975 and again in 1976. He and Seaforth Hayes received Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 45th annual ceremony in 2018, which featured a touching tribute to the couple’s lasting love and careers:

Did you get emotional watching Doug’s final appearance? Drop a comment with your thoughts on the episode below.

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