Bill Hayes, a beloved soap opera star, passed away earlier this year, leaving behind many loved ones who continue to hold him close to their hearts. He’s best known for his kind spirit and strong work ethic, which aided his long-standing career.
Bill Hayes Passes Peacefully
On January 12th, Bill Hayes passed away in his home from natural causes at 98 years old. Incredibly, he worked up until the weeks before his death. “We got into a conversation that we often had in real life, which begins with me saying, ‘Did I ever tell you how much I love you?’ And then he would say. ‘No. You never did,’” his late wife Seaforth Hayes said of their final scene together.
Bill Hayes’ Charmed Childhood
Bill Hayes was born William Foster Hayes III on June 5, 1925, at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey. His parents were Betty Hayes, a schoolteacher, and William Foster Hayes II, an encyclopedia company executive.
Long before Bill Hayes started his 53-year career on Days of Our Lives, he was destined for Hollywood greatness. He and his brothers grew up in a home built on music. ” Playful song” put them to sleep at night. Meanwhile, Hayes, his two brothers, and his father sang in a quartet around the house.
Education, Military Service, and Stardom
Bill Hayes went to DePauw University for a year but soon joined the Navy, becoming a fighter pilot. After the war ended, he returned to school, graduating in 1947 with a liberal arts degree. Later, he secured a role in the musical “Carousel” and would perform in numerous stage productions. In 1949, he made his television debut, singing on “Fireball Fun-for-All,” an NBC variety show.
A Life-Changing Role
The actor and singer captured audiences again in 1955 when Bill Hayes recorded his hit “The Ballad of Davy Crockett.” The hit sold over a million copies, and Bill Hayes was awarded a gold record. “We met that night at 10 o’clock in an RCA recording studio. We did one take — one track, one take. It was a hit record,” Hayes recalled in a 2017 documentary produced by his grandson. However, in 1970, he landed the role for which he would become best known and the role that would change his life. He would meet Susan Seabold, his future wife.
Paying Bills and Staying Close to Home
Bill Hayes had just divorced his high school sweetheart and was navigating the waters as a single dad of 5. Struggling, he admittedly wasn’t looking for love in real life. However, his potential long-standing job on “Days of Our Lives” gave him a chance to pay the bills and be home with his family instead of traveling to perform. The opportunity allowed him to be present for his children in a way he hadn’t been able to before.
A Special Connection
Although Bill Hayes wasn’t looking for love, there was something special between them, and Susan recalled knowing it instantly. “I’d seen enough to know that he was special,” she said. Apparently, others could also see their unexplained connection. “We had a scene together shortly after meeting, and the head writer saw something going on between the two of us, just two people looking at each other, and he threw out the other plot lines he had for our characters,” she added.
Bill Hayes Finds Unexpected Love
One day, fate would set the pair up for a future together. They had to retake a scene numerous times because of the “prop man’s faulty equipment.” A detail that Susan is “forever grateful for.” Interestingly, Susan did the courting, inviting Bill Hayes to numerous dinner parties. Things fell into place, and the pair married in 1974. They would have a wedding two years later on-screen, and over 16 million fans watched.
Bill Hayes Remembered for His Kindness
Bill Hayes was also known for his kindness, and remembered for “helping a stranger to feel a little less humiliated,” explained Bryan Cranston. Cranston shared a touching story of when he was a young actor. He had landed a role on the popular soap but was late because of an “alarm mishap.” The seasoned actor spent 20 minutes with a young Cranston and “really cheered me up.” Cranston recalled. “I will never forget his kindness and patience. From that moment, I think of Bill whenever I see an actor in need.”
Pursuing Passions and Adventure
Interestingly, Bill Hayes wasn’t limited to singing and acting. Rather, he studied tap from his late 60s into his late 90s. “His beautiful spirit of adventure and involvement in life was something out of another age,” said his wife. “He truly was part of that greatest generation.”
Loving Memories
The memorial was held on February 10, 2024, at the First Christian Church of North Hollywood.
He is survived by Carolyn Hayes Samuel Huff and Margaret Hayes Jackson; his sons, Thomas Harley Hayes and William Foster Hayes IV; 12 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren. His loved ones carry him in their hearts and cherish the family reunions he would organize, ensuring a fun talent show at each gathering.
