Former Days of our Lives star Edward Mallory (ex-Bill Horton) has died following a long illness. The actor's widow, Suzanne, indicated that Mallory had been ill for several years with a combination of ailments. She declined to specify the nature of those illnesses. Mallory was 76.

A native of Salisbury, PA, Mallory appeared on Days of our Lives from 1966 to 1980. Though he will probably best be known for his daytime role, Mallory also directed several daytime serials, including CBS's The Young and the Restless. Mallory also wrote, directed and produced documentaries for A&E and The History Channel.

In 2002, Mallory told the Frostburg State University alumni magazine that he loved Shakespeare but jumped at the chance to work in television and movies, including the 1962 feature films "Diamond Head" and "The Bird Man of Alcatraz."

Mallory joined the Frostburg State faculty as artist-in-residence in 2004. There, he taught writing, acting and directing, and oversaw student-made documentary films.