Pastor remembers Will Roberts' resilience and faith after teen dies following bone cancer battle

TUSCALOOSA COUNTY, ALABAMA: The death of 15-year-old Will Roberts has left a community grieving, but for Pastor Jason Poole, the loss is deeply personal.

After Will died early Thursday, July 23, following a battle with bone cancer that had spread to his brain, Poole shared an emotional tribute, remembering the Alabama teen not just as someone he admired, but as someone he considered family.

As messages of support poured in from across the country, Poole reflected on the friendship they built in a short time and the lasting impact Will made on everyone around him.

Will Roberts' mother shared the heartbreaking news of his death

Will's mother, Brittney Battles Roberts, announced on Facebook that her son had died after his cancer progressed to his brain.

She said she and her husband made the painful decision to stop his suffering. In the same post, she revealed that the day of Will's death was also her birthday.

Rather than describing it only as a day of heartbreak, she called it "a beautiful gift that God gave her," explaining that she found comfort in believing her son was finally free from cancer and had entered the kingdom of heaven.

The news sparked an outpouring of condolences from people who had followed Will's journey and supported his fight for treatment.

Pastor Jason Poole says Will Roberts inspired people even in his hardest days

Poole told WVTM 13 that although he had not known Will for very long, their relationship quickly grew into something much deeper.

He admitted that, even as a pastor who often helps others through grief, this loss was especially difficult because he was mourning a close friend.

According to Poole, Will never stopped encouraging those around him, even as his health worsened.

"Will was resilient," Poole said. "Will was always encouraging us, and that's why Will has probably been instrumental in leading more people to the Lord across this country."

He added that people had even reached out from South Africa because of Will's story.

"I've had people reach out to us from South Africa because of Will Roberts. What a testimony," he shared.

Will Roberts wanted his fight to help others facing the same battle

Will's story gained national attention after he shared a video from his mother's account asking for help accessing life-saving treatment that went viral.

But Poole said what impressed him most was not simply Will's determination to survive. Instead, it was the teenager's desire to make sure his struggle could help someone else.

According to the pastor, Will hoped that if treatment did not arrive in time for him, his story might still open doors for other children facing the same disease.

Poole believes that selflessness will remain Will's greatest legacy.

"But that's Will," he said. "Will has done more for the kingdom of God in his 15 years than most all of us will do our entire life."

As family, friends and supporters continue mourning the 15-year-old, Poole said he hopes people will remember Will not only for the battle he fought, but for the kindness, faith and hope he gave to others until the very end.