Will Roberts Remembered For Faith And Courage After Cancer Death

There are few moments that can bring politicians, entire countries and generations together in agreement. The is passing of 15-year-old Will Roberts of Ralph last week is one of those times. Will lost his valiant fight against a rare bone cancer, but he won a spot in everyone's heart and an eternity in heaven. People from all walks of life, from down the street to the halls of power and across the world heard Will's story and were pulling for him. From the White House to my house Will Roberts was in our thoughts and prayers every day.

Will Had A Way About Him

All you had to do was be around Will in person, hear him on radio or see him on TV to know you had been in the presence of someone special. Everyone who encountered Will walked away walked away impressed and amazed.

His appearance with Steve and DC on 95.3 The Bear's Morning Show grabbed the community's attention and tugged at the heartstrings for the young man who had the will to fight but wasn't afraid to ask for help.

At 12:45am (Tuscaloosa time) this past Wednesday, just hours after he thanked everyone in a video with his father Jason, and on his mother Brittany's birthday, Will became cancer free and, "...rang his forever cancer free bell as he entered the gates of Heaven!!!" his mother posted on social media.

A divided nation came together in April when Will posted a message on his mother's Facebook page. He talked about how sad he was that chemotherapy was having little effect on the cancer, and voiced concern over the rapid spread of that cancer throughout his body.

That video reached the White House, getting the attention of President Trump, Health and Human Service Secretary Robert Kennedy, Jr. and Centers for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. They helped Will get an experimental treatment called DeltaRex-G, which was only available in California.

Miracle after miracle got Will and his family to the West Coast and for a while the results looked promising. During the whole process Will and his family not only had faith but they also prayed that Will's story would help other children facing a life-threatening battle with cancer, or any disease, to not give up hope, to be a fighter like Will.

Will's battle ended early Wednesday morning but the message he left behind is one of that everyone can embrace. It is not money, power, prestige or status that keeps us going in the face of difficulty, it is simple faith, hope, determination, and prayer.

Will Roberts lives on in the example he gave us, not only in the way he lived and fought for his life but also in the faith, he had in the eternal life he is now living. Anyone who knew Will or heard his story will be forever impacted.

Thousands Offer Condolences

The response to Will's death has impacted so many, from the powerful to our neighbors down the street.

Gov. Ivey issued a statement once she learned of Will's passing. “I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of young Will Roberts,” Ivey wrote on X. “Alabama will remember Will as a brave young man whose courage inspired us all. God has called him home, where he is healed and with our Savior. Join me in praying for the Roberts family during this unimaginable loss.”

“The entire state of Alabama mourns this loss,” U.S. Senator Katie Britt wrote. “Please join us in praying for his parents, Jason and Brittney, family, friends, and loved ones.”

Alabama's senior U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville sent his condolences via an online video, "Will's faith, courage and positive attitude inspired millions of people across this great country and the world, I know he will be deeply missed, and we take great comfort in knowing that he is not suffering anymore."

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigations (ALEA SBI), where Will's father is a captain posted their response to the loss of the son of one of their own.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Will Roberts, the son of ALEA SBI Captain Jason and Brittney Roberts, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

While words cannot fully capture the depth of this loss, we also recognize the powerful impact Will had on those around him. Through his unwavering faith in Jesus, he was a source of strength, hope and inspiration to many. His courage and trust in the Lord, even in the face of unimaginable challenges, touched lives far beyond his years and left a lasting imprint on all who followed his journey.

"As an Agency family, we stand together in offering our deepest condolences, prayers and unwavering support to them during this incredibly difficult time"

Will's mother summed up her son's effect on everyone:

“Will was the funniest person in the room. Will had a personality that could light up a hospital floor. Will was stubborn enough to drive us crazy one minute and make us laugh the next. Will loved hard, fought harder, and never stopped believing there was another mountain to climb.”

As Will himself said: