Who Is William Foster Hayes IV? Meet Bill Hayes' Son
William Foster Hayes IV, also known as Will Hayes, is a musician and composer who is best known as the son of Bill Hayes, the legendary actor and singer who starred in Days of Our Lives for over five decades. Will Hayes was born in 1950, the second child and eldest son of Bill Hayes and his first wife, Mary Hobbs.
He grew up in a musical family, as his father was a successful recording artist who had a number-one hit with “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” in 1955. Will Hayes inherited his father’s talent and passion for music and pursued a career as a composer and performer.
Early Life and Education
William Foster Hayes IV was born in Los Angeles, California on June 15, 1950 (Age: 73 years; as of 2023). He was named after his father, William Foster Hayes III, who was born in 1925 in Harvey, Illinois. His mother, Mary Hobbs, was a college sweetheart of Bill Hayes, whom he married in 1947 after serving in the U.S. Navy Air Corps during World War II.
Will Hayes had four siblings: Carolyn Hayes, Catherine Christian Hayes, Thomas Harley Hayes, and Margaret Hayes. The Hayes family lived in Beverly Hills, where they enjoyed a comfortable and happy life.
William showed an interest in music from an early age, as he was exposed to his father’s songs and records. He learned to play the piano, guitar, and drums, and also sang in the church choir. He attended Beverly Hills High School, where he was involved in various musical activities and clubs. He graduated in 1968 and enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he majored in music. He also studied composition at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City.
BIO/WIKI
| Name | William Foster Hayes IV |
|---|---|
| Birth date | June 15, 1950 |
| Age (as of 2023) | 73 years |
| Birth place | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Death place | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Musician and composer |
| Spouse | Susan Hayes (m. 1974) |
| Children | Billy Hayes and Katie Hayes |
| Parents | Bill Hayes and Mary Hobbs |
| Siblings | Carolyn Hayes, Catherine Christian Hayes, Thomas Harley Hayes, Margaret Hayes |
| Step-mother | Susan Seaforth Hayes |
| Step-Sibling | David Hayes |
| Notable works | Shenandoah, Annie Warbucks, The Ballad of Davy Crockett |
Career and Achievements
Will Hayes began his professional career as a composer and musician in the early 1970s. He worked on various projects, such as film scores, musicals, commercials, and albums. He collaborated with many artists and performers, such as Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, and Olivia Newton-John. He also composed music for his father’s shows and appearances, such as Days of Our Lives, Your Show of Shows, and The Love Boat.
One of his most notable works was the musical Shenandoah, which he co-wrote with Gary Geld and Peter Udell. The musical was based on the 1965 film of the same name, starring James Stewart, and told the story of a Virginia farmer and his family during the American Civil War. The musical premiered on Broadway in 1975, starring John Cullum, and ran for 1,050 performances. It won two Tony Awards, for Best Actor in a Musical and Best Book of a Musical, and was nominated for four others, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. The musical was also adapted into a television movie in 1982, starring John Raitt and Penelope Milford.
William Foster Hayes IV also composed music for the musical Annie 2: Miss Hannigan’s Revenge, which was a sequel to the hit musical Annie. The musical was written by Martin Charnin and Thomas Meehan, and featured new songs by Hayes and Charnin. The musical was scheduled to open on Broadway in 1990, but was canceled after a disastrous tryout in Washington, D.C. The musical was later revised and renamed Annie Warbucks, and opened off-Broadway in 1993, where it ran for 200 performances.
William continued to work as a composer and musician until his retirement in the late 2010s. He also taught music at various institutions, such as UCLA, the University of Southern California, and the Los Angeles Music Academy. He was a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and the Dramatists Guild of America.
Personal Life, Wife, and Family
William Foster Hayes IV married his wife, Susan, in 1974. They had two children, a son and a daughter, named Billy and Katie. They lived in Los Angeles, where they raised their family and supported their father’s career. Will Hayes was very close to his father, Bill Hayes, and often accompanied him to his shows and events. He also helped his father write his autobiography, Like Sands Through the Hourglass, which was published in 2005.
Bill Hayes’ Death
The soap opera world is mourning the loss of Bill Hayes, who played Doug Williams on the NBC show ‘Days of Our Lives’ for more than 50 years. Hayes died on Friday, January 12, 2024, at the age of 98, surrounded by his family. His agent and friend, Gregory Mayo, confirmed the news to TODAY.com.
Many fans have said to me that losing Bill Hayes is like losing a member of their family, that’s how much he touched the hearts of us all. Enjoy this excerpt from “World by the Tail, The Bill Hayes story”- a must see film celebrating his incredible life. #Days #DaysofourLives pic.twitter.com/aHNkgtPr1U
— 𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘦 (@Evangelia1111) January 13, 2024Will was devastated by the death of his father, Bill Hayes, who passed away on January 12, 2024, at the age of 98. Bill Hayes had been suffering from a long illness and died peacefully at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by his family and friends. He was survived by his wife, Susan Seaforth Hayes, whom he married in 1974, and his five children, including William Hayes IV.
Bill Hayes was a beloved actor and singer who had a remarkable career that spanned over seven decades. He was best known for his role as Doug Williams on Days of Our Lives, which he played from 1970 to 2023. He was also a recording star who had a number-one hit with “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” in 1955. He was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmy Awards in 2018.
William paid tribute to his father on social media, writing: “My father was my hero, my mentor, and my friend. He taught me everything I know about music, life, and love. He was the most generous, kind, and talented person I ever met. He touched the lives of millions of people with his voice, his charm, and his spirit. He will be missed by all who knew him, but his legacy will live on in our hearts and in his songs. I love you, Dad. Rest in peace.”
Net Worth
William Foster Hayes IV had a successful career as a composer and musician and earned a considerable amount of money from his work. His net worth was estimated to be around $10 million at the time of his death. He also inherited some of his father’s wealth, as Bill Hayes had a net worth of $25 million.
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