A plethora of actors, classic, contemporary, and brand-new, put in appearances and much-appreciated work in the episodes surrounding the tribute to DAYS’ Doug Williams (and, by extension, his portrayer, Bill Hayes), but none more so than Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Olson Williams). With the memorial wrapped, Seaforth Hayes took to social media to address viewers and to once again praise her dearly departed one.

Susan Seaforth Hayes’ Emotional Post

She wrote on Instagram:

“For all of you who have joined me in spirit through the days of Billy’s passing and Doug’s memorial on Days of Our Lives, I thank you ❤️

“It was a privilege to share my joy in his life with so many via television. Our Corday Family honored us with a particular love story that began 54 years ago in front of a television camera and ended there, too. How amazing!

“My darling was a steadfast, inspiring father to five children. He helped build a hospital in Africa, starred on Broadway for Rodgers and Hammerstein, conducted choirs… and I could never tell you the half of it.

“He held me up with love so true. That’s all that keeps me or Julie standing now… recalling those glorious yesterdays and looking forward to more tomorrows.”

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A post shared by Bill & Susan Hayes (@billsusanhayes)

Hayes passed away on January 12, 2024, at the ripe age of 98. Due to the accelerated taping schedule employed at the Peacock sudser, the last show to feature the actor aired on Thursday, July 11. Fittingly, his scenes were opposite his real and reel-life missus who, coincidentally, turned 81 on the day the episode aired.

In an interview with TVInsider, Seaforth Hayes revealed that she injected a little something extra special into the proceedings: “I was allowed to add some lines to the scene, between ourselves. The last line I wrote for Billy was, ‘Give me another kiss.’ So that’s for the audience, and that’s from him.”