Actor Bill Hayes is probably best known for his long-running role on the daytime soap opera “Days of Our Lives.” He joined the cast in 1970 and portrayed the character Doug Williams. He also ended up marrying his costar, Susan Seaforth Hayes, and later, the characters they portrayed got married on the show.

Now, “Days of Our Lives” has released the sad news that Bill has died. In a statement shared to Aol, the show explained, “It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of our beloved Bill Hayes.” The statement continued, “One of the longest running characters on ‘Days of Our Lives,’ Bill originated the role of Doug Williams in 1970 and portrayed him continuously throughout his life. He and his wife, Susan Seaforth-Hayes, remained the foundation of the Williams-Horton family spanning more than 50 years.”

The statement did not include a cause of death. Bill was 98 years old.

Seven months ago, Bill celebrated his 98the birthday in a very special way. In honor of his 98th birthday, his wife and other members of the “Days of Our Lives” cast surprised him with a birthday cake.

Bill received multiple award nominations over his lifetime. According to IMDB, he was nominated for a daytime Emmy award in 1975 and 1976. Then in 2018, he and his wife were given the Lifetime Achievement Award. Watch a tribute to the real life couple who was also an on-screen couple for decades in the video below.

Prior to landing the role on “Days of Our Lives,” Bill sang and acted in nightclubs and on Broadway. He performed in the Broadway show “Me and Juliet” and was in the national tour of “Bye Bye Birdie,” just to name a few roles.

Susan was Bill’s second wife. He was previously married to a woman named Mary Lorraine Hobbs. They were married from 1947 to 1979 and had five children together.

Upon hearing the news of Bill’s death, “Days of Our Lives” executive producer Ken Corday said, “I have known Bill for most of my life and he embodied the heart and soul of Days of our Lives. Although we are grieving and will miss him, Bill’s indelible legacy will live on in our hearts and the stories we tell, both on and off the screen.”

Meanwhile, Kristian Alfonso, who portrayed Bill’s daughter on the show, shared on Instagram, “You will forever be in my heart Billy. Thank you for welcoming me, the girl from Boston, with warm open arms on my first day and all of the days that followed, [and] for the love and support you always gave me. How completely blessed I was to work with you, to know you [and] to learn from you. You were a true Icon. My heart is broken.”