The body of a Bolingbrook native killed in the massacre at Fort Hood in Texas last week arrived home Thursday.

Escorted by a phalanx of Illinois Patriot Guard motorcycle riders, the hearse carrying Army Pfc. Michael Pearson was part of a somber procession that snaked its way through the village after his remains were flown into Midway Airport in the morning.

It took the caravan of 100-plus riders over an hour to complete the journey from the airport to the Joliet funeral home where Pearson's services will be held on Saturday. Bolingbrook High School students lined the sidewalks outside the school as the procession passed by.

"Michael's family was overwhelmed by the outpouring," said Brenda Meyers, the Northern Illinois Patriot Guard assistant senior ride captain. "All of these (escorts) are very, very difficult, but from my standpoint I believe it was more difficult because of the situation."

Pearson was one of 13 people shot and killed Nov. 5 at a readiness center on the military compound by an Army psychiatrist.

Visitation will be held Friday at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home at 3200 Black Road in Joliet. Funeral services begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will take place at the Abraham Lincoln national Cemetery in Elwood following the funeral.