Will Roberts, the 15-year-old from Ralph whose yearlong battle with a rare and deadly bone cancer drew national attention and united thousands of strangers in prayer, died early Thursday morning at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego. His mother, Brittney Battles Roberts, announced his passing on Facebook shortly after 12:45 a.m. Thursday. "At 12:45 a.m. today, on my birthday, our precious Will took his final breath on this earth and entered the presence of Jesus," she wrote. "Yet every single day, Will found a reason to smile, crack a joke, encourage someone else, or remind us all what real strength looked like. For more exclusive coverage of community news in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.