How Days of our Lives' Susan Seaforth Hayes honored Bill Hayes after Julie bid farewell to Doug

There wasn't a dry eye left in the house during the December 3, 2024, episode of Days of our Lives when Julie delivered a eulogy for her beloved husband, Doug. Susan Seaforth Hayes gave a masterful performance that was from the heart in more ways than one.

Julie's Days of our Lives eulogy was true to life

Aside from some tweaks to fit the storyline, the eulogy we watched Julie deliver was the same one that Seaforth Hayes delivered in February at the memorial for her husband of nearly 50 years, Bill Hayes.

"The head writer at that time [Ron Calavarti] attended the memorial at our church and asked if I would do that again, tweaked for the character," Seaforth Hayes told Woman's World. "He said he couldn’t write anything better than what I had presented. And how could I say no to that? So I tried. It was uplifting to perform, stressful but uplifting."

Indeed, we saw Julie take a deep breath before the funeral began as the gravity of what she needed to say weighed on her heavily. Julie began her speech with song lyrics, as her husband was a musician on-screen and off.

"The look of love. Doug Williams had it and made the world shine with it, especially when he looked at us," she said.

When Julie described Doug's days in the Navy and how he found he had a knack for singing, she was reciting her own husband's biography. Here is a sampling of how Julie described Doug and Susan described Bill.

"Here are some of his favorite things besides chocolates," she said. "Italy, grand opera, lyrics, puns of his own composing, family dinners, tap dancing, up tunes, new places to go, old songs to sing… The Dodgers, New York City, serenades, sunshine in the morning, performing, poached eggs, Count of Monte Cristo, Casablanca. Every Christmas card that had photos of his friends and family. Piles of sheet music. The morning sports page and an old safari jacket that he wore on every continent. Red roses, red lips, red sauces, red wines and an Indian ruby that he gave to me."

Seaforth Hayes thanks fans for their kindness

After the eulogy aired, Seaforth Hayes took to Instagram to offer thanks for the support she has been given following Bill's death, and again following Doug's death.

"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," she wrote. "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."

Trending

Catch all-new episodes of Days of our Lives weekdays on Peacock.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback

Comment