A cremation fund has been established for Rueben Williams, the bicyclist who was killed Tuesday on U.S. 460.

Williams, 27, was killed while riding a bicycle home from his job at the Home Shopping Network in Botetourt County. He ran a stop sign at the bottom of a wet, sloping road, and was struck by a tractor-trailer.

His mother, Sheila Wright, wishes to have Williams' body cremated, but needs help with the expense, said Mim Young, Williams' mentor and friend, who set up the fund. Any money left over will be used to help Wright pay bills and buy food, Young said.

"Rueben was always about giving to his family," Young said. "He had a loving heart."

Williams was a struggling but talented artist who was just getting back on his feet, Young said.

At his high point, he had been accepted to his dream school, Parsons The New School for Design in New York. He never made it through his first semester because of financial problems.

More recently, he stayed at the Rescue Mission in Roanoke and donated plasma for money, said his friend, Justin Payne.

Payne, 24, drove Williams to several job interviews and said Williams spent days at the Virginia Employment Commission work force center in Roanoke looking for a job.

"He had tough skin," Payne said. "He never gave up."

A memorial service is planned for Saturday at Parkway Wesleyan Church in Roanoke.

Donations can be sent to the Parkway Wesleyan Church, Rueben Williams Fund, 3645 Orange Ave. N.E., Roanoke, VA 24012.