Family and friends gathered at the Hawkins Farm on Highway 48 in the Aurelian Springs community this afternoon to welcome the youngster, signs in the yard and yellow ribbons on trees along the stretch of road that is home to the boy.

"It seems like it's been forever," said his aunt, Pam Ballew, as she welcomed visitors to the house. "I'm just thankful for how the community got together and supported him and his family."

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The boy had been at Vidant since March, when a tombstone fell on his head and he began to go through intensive therapy to get him to the point he could come home.

Despite a grim early prognosis, Ballew said family members clung to faith. "It's definitely a miracle he is able to come home."

For his aunt Wendy Strickland, the homecoming was, "Just about a miracle. Anyone who doesn't believe in God needs to look at him."

Strickland said doctors told the family they had done as much as they could do. "Ninety-five percent was left up to the Lord. We kept lifting him up and knew he was going to be OK."

Aycock, right, and Selma Hawkins wait for Will to arrive.

Doris Aycock said Will was an inspiration to other patients. "Every day they carried him to other floors. We shared him with other patients. I just feel like we got him in their prayers."

Will's grandfather, H.T. Hawkins, said, "This is one of the happiest days in my life."

The hospital stays, said Will's grandmother, Selma Hawkins, "Have been hard on Doris and Taylor (his parents). Today is just a happy day."

Sandra Stephenson, an emergency room nurse at Halifax Regional Medical Center, stood on the embankment holding a sign encouraging motorists to honk their horns in support of Will.

Stephenson beckons motorists to honk their horns.

Stephenson was the nurse on duty when EMS brought the boy to the hospital. "Oh, my God," she said. "I knew it was really bad. We started praying."

Despite the severity, Stephenson and the rest of staff remained faithful. "We knew God was going to have to take a part in this."

Wes Tripp, chief deputy of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office, not only arranged for a law enforcement escort to the Hawkins Farm, he made Will an honorary deputy, giving him a campaign hat and patch.

Tripp places the hat on Will's head.

"The Hawkins family are good people," Tripp said. "They are strong in the community and have been here for a long time. The family has really been blessed with Will's progress."

Waiting for Will was his best friend, Devan Farrell. "I'm just going to tell him I'm glad he's home."

Devan's mother, Tammy, said her son remained faithful Will would be OK. "To see his faith, he never waivered. That's what I loved seeing, him never getting upset."

Will in the van with sister.

As the patrol cars escorting the Hawkins family came down Highway 48 tears turned to jubilant cheers as Will waved from the backseat of the van.

"We're just overwhelmed and overjoyed," said Will's mother, Doris. "We're thankful to be home and thankful to the Roanoke Valley for all your support. Your prayers got us through today."

For his father, Taylor, it was a joyous day. "People have really been praying for us."

Ahead of the family is outpatient rehabilitation and continued trips to Greenville, his father said.

There is, however, a sense of normalcy, Will's sister, Kate said. "I'm glad to be back home. I'll be happy to have us all under one roof."