In a poignant gathering, the loved ones of Billy Foster, aged 38, assembled at the very Winn-Dixie parking lot where he was tragically discovered with fatal stab wounds.
ORANGE PARK, Fla. — The air was thick with sorrow and remembrance as a community came together on Saturday night in an Orange Park Winn-Dixie parking lot.
Friends, family, and colleagues of Billy Foster lit candles in his honor, mourning his death after he was fatally stabbed on Monday.
“It’s mind-blowing what happened to my nephew,” expressed Houston Foster, Billy’s uncle, still grappling with the abrupt loss.
Houston described his nephew as someone who would do anything for others. “He was always ready to help, no matter what you needed. He’d give you anything. He was such a kind-hearted person,” he recalled.
“Anything you asked for, he’d do it for you,” Foster said. “Help you out, anything. If you needed something, he would give it to you. Sweet person.”
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office reports the 38-year-old was stabbed at an apartment complex near Knight Boxx Road and Blanding Boulevard in Orange Park Monday, then drove himself to a nearby Winn-Dixie to look for help.
Foster’s uncle was joined by a crowd at that same Winn-Dixie five days later for a vigil.
It wasn’t just family, but also coworkers who made plenty of memories with Foster at local fast-food restaurants.
“He was my manager and he came up to me and welcomed me, didn’t pressure me or make me feel like I was on the spot,” Foster’s former coworker, Lindi Hart, said.
Four days after Foster’s death, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office arrested Charles Jones Jr., saying their investigation revealed the two planned to meet up, but the reason for the meeting is still under investigation.
Foster says he’ll be at court to see Jones, even though it’ll be hard to have to relive what happened to his nephew.
“Just to see the individual,” Foster said. “Just to look at him and ask him, ‘Why?’ I’ll forgive you, but I’ll never forget what you’ve done to my nephew.”
Before it wrapped up, folks used their candles and flowers to form a memorial for Foster in the Winn-Dixie parking lot.
