Why Susan Seaforth-Hayes Found Filming Late Husband Bill's Death onDays of Our Livesto Be a 'Gift' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth Hayes at a ‘Days Of Our Lives’ book signing at Barnes & Noble on Nov. 3, 2015 in Bethesda, Md.Photo:Larry French/Getty

Larry French/Getty

Days of Our Liveshelped Susan Seaforth-Hayes through some of the worst days of her own life.

The 81-year-old actress’s husband Bill Hayes died in January at age 98 and hisfinal appearance onDays of Our Livesaired in July, but upcoming episodes of the soap opera,in which Hayes starred as Doug Williams, will see Doug’s death unfold.

“The show has written into the fact that he was an icon to the audience,” Seaforth Hayes told PEOPLE at the annual Days ofDaysfan event in Los Angeles on Nov. 2. “I appreciate the fact that they appreciated him so much. He deserved to be lifted up.”

As Hayes’s on-screen wife Julie Williams, Seaforth Hayes played a pivotal role in her husband’sDOOLfarewell.

While Seaforth Hayes admitted she found that scene “very difficult to do,” she also called it “very emotionally rewarding.”

“And I think the audience will experience and be uplifted,” the soap star added.

Susan Seaforth Hayes as Julie Williams in ‘Days of Our Lives’.Jean Krettler/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty

Jean Krettler/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty

Seaforth Hayes never expected her time on the show to evolve into what it has since getting her start onDaysin 1968.

“I first started coming to Burbank in 1968 as an ingenue, and now I’m a great grandmother on the show,” she said. “I started out as a bad girl, still have that little sassy quality that the writers have written to, which I appreciate. Filling the role of matriarch, of an established family is challenging, heartwarming. It’s a long and a very gratifying experience.”

Seaforth Hayes said that “every important part of my life” had something to do with the show, including, of course, meeting her husband of 50 years on the serieswhen they filmed a love scene togetherin 1970.  “It’s a strange and wonderful experience,” Seaforth Hayes continued.

Susan Hayes at the Days of ‘Days’ fan event at the Peacock Theater in L.A. on Nov. 2, 2024.Todd Williamson/Peacock via Getty

Todd Williamson/Peacock via Getty

Seaforth Hayes has previously creditedDays of Our Liveswith keeping her going following her husband’s death.

It also presented a new challenge for her. “I haven’t had the stress of doing anything alone, really, and now I will have to,” Seaforth Hayes said.

Last month, Seaforth Hayes shared one of those moments without the late actor on Instagram, posted a solo shot of her at a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball game.

“A night of Dodger Baseball Wish Billy was here 💙 Wish you were here, too,” Seaforth Hayes captionedthe Sept. 21 photo, adding hashtags “#DodgerBaseball” and “#BillysBoys.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Days of Our Livesairs weekdays on Peacock.

source: people.com