Say what you will about the chances of winning, there’s still something exhilarating about filling out the numbers and anxiously watching the broadcast. It keeps you on your toes! Some play for the rush, others in hopes of actually getting rich (we don’t advise that). William Bowker, a 94-year-old veteran, however, plays the lottery out of habit. And he won, all because of a feeling…
The Veteran Almost Lost His Ticket
William Bowker is a 94-year-old Air Force Veteran from Oregon, who served in the Korean war. He also loves playing the lottery. In fact, Bowker says he started playing Oregon’s Megabucks back when it launched in 1985 and hasn’t missed a week since. Surprisingly, even after buying tickets and checking numbers for over 30 years, the vet almost lost his chance at millions of dollars!
One week, after picking up another week’s ticket at the Jackson Food Store, Bowker brought the ticket home. There, he left the ticket and later asked his granddaughter, Katie Schumacher, to check it. She did and told him that, yet again, he had lost. Bowker almost threw the ticket in the trash right there and then. However, something told him not to, and he decided to sleep on it…
Trust Your Guts
“I had a good feeling the night I bought the ticket,” Bowker said later. Moreover, he was right! Unbeknownst to him, his granddaughter had checked the numbers for Mega Millions, not Megabucks. “She got done, and later, I thought I should double-check it before throwing it away. I am glad I did, I immediately thought — BOOM! I won!”
Bowker’s granddaughter’s mistake would have cost him the jackpot of $3.25 million. Thankfully, he listened to his gut, held on to the ticket, and claimed the money. “My numbers were right there!” he exclaimed, “I couldn’t believe my eyes.” Bowker’s lucky numbers, which he quick-picked, were 14-32-41-43-44-47. After taxes, the veteran will take home approximately $2.2 million in lump sum cash. So, everyone’s wonder: what does Bowker plan on doing with his winnings?
The Winner’s Plans
“I have what I need, and I’m 94,” Bowker said when asked about what he plans on doing with his millions. Instead, “this is a wonderful way to help my family,” he remarked. The veteran lives in a trailer with his wife, Jean. “Jean and I, we’re as happy as we can be. We want to stay here. We’ve got neighbors, and we all holler over the fence. My daughter brings dinner,” he said, explaining why they didn’t want to move. They might get a new car, but don’t expect the Bowkers to roll down the street in a Caddy. “Nothing fancy. I walk with a cane, so I want to buy a car that’s comfortable and easy to get in and out of,” he said.
The rest of the family, however, already have plans for their portion of the money, including Bowker’s granddaughter. “Katie doesn’t have grass in her backyard, it’s all rocks. So she’s going to get artificial turf, some plants, and a new patio table. She’s so tickled. She can’t wait,” the man said about Schumacher, happy that his grandchildren will enjoy a new backyard.
While it seems like Bowker was doing just fine before this, the veteran now has some cash to make things easier. Hopefully, he manages his winning well, and he should probably put enough away to pay for a few extra lotto tickets over the coming years.