Being that I am a Southern boy from Gatorland (and other points all along our fine Gulf coast), I can say with some degree of expertise that the proper way to say it is:
"Aw HEYelllll Yeah!"
For instance, beer is bee ah, so my hale is really hay ell (or if you prefer, heyell)
Ice from the sky is hay ill
But in deference to your creds .... Heyell Yeah !
S'cuse me ... I gutt'a go pahk my cah.