His death certificate, filed 10 June 1933 in Morehead, Rowan Co., Ky, records James W. Foster, age 63 years 5 months, born 22 Dec 1869 in Kentucky, died “?” (date not known) in Kentucky, occupation public work on street, married, husband of Sop Foster, father Bob Foster, born in Kentucky, mother’s maiden name Mary Ellen Feran, birth place blank, cause of death murdered by unknown person or persons, informant Sofa Foster, Morehed, Ky, burial on 9 Jun 1933 in Morehead.

The newspaper accounts of his murder refer to him as Bill Foster.