ORANGE PARK, Fla. – A Clay County family is struggling to arrange funeral services for a 38-year-old man who was fatally stabbed earlier this month.
Billy Clark Foster died after being stabbed multiple times during what investigators described as a pre-planned meeting at the Cypress Pointe Apartment Complex parking lot on Knight Boxx Road.
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Charles Franklin Jones Jr. faces charges of second-degree murder and tampering with evidence, among other charges, in connection with Foster’s death.
“About 3:00 in the morning, detectives came to the house, and they knocked on the door and let us know that Billy was found deceased,” said Houston Foster, the victim’s uncle.
According to Clay County Sheriff’s investigators, Foster managed to drive across the street to a Winn-Dixie seeking help after the stabbing, but later died at the hospital.
“It was like, mind-blowing. Who would do that to him? Because he don’t bother nobody. He was a real sweet and careful person,” Houston Foster said.
The family now faces additional challenges as they attempt to lay their loved one to rest. Their application for assistance from the Bureau of Victim Compensation was denied because the grandmother, as a non-immediate family member, does not qualify for benefits.
“Victim of Crime, yes. They turned her down because she’s the grandmother, and they don’t give the payments to the grandmother, their siblings or mother and father,” Houston Foster explained. He added that Billy’s parents and siblings are deceased, complicating their ability to secure assistance.
Despite unsuccessful attempts to reach the Bureau of Victim Compensation for clarification, the family continues to seek support from their community.
Houston Foster remembers his nephew as someone who would “give you the shirt off his back.”
“Just remember Billy how he was, sweet, nice guy,” he said.
If you would like to donate to assist with the funeral expenses, click here.