ALAN LUBY PHOTO FOR SOUTH FLORIDA TIMES

Riviera Beach – Riviera Beach’s Willie Spence, the late “American Idol” winner killed in a car accident Oct. 11, 2022, was honored with a tree-planting tribute on the hometown hero’s 25th birthday, June 18, in Cunningham Park at Washington Elementary School. The city, the Diplomat Center and KOP Mentoring Center continued with a series of events celebrating Spence’s life and legacy on the following Juneteenth holiday, including musical workshops, guest speakers and an oratorical contest. Spence’s mother, Sharon Singleton Spence, a noted singer in her own right before he was born, rendered songs in her son’s honor. She and her husband, Willie Spence Sr. launched their “Willie Spence Champions Foundation, Inc.,” and a 5K Run in 2026 with proceeds benefit it. Mayor Douglas Lawson issued a “Willie Spence Day” proclamation from the city. “Me and Willie’s Father are humbled and ecstatic at the thought of planting a tree in our son’s honor,” said Mrs. Spence. “It is something that will last a lifetime and what a way to pay tribute to our beautiful son and to start a foundation in his honor on such an occasion.”