Georgia construction worker collects $50M Mega Millions win

Dec 2, 2012, 8:23 am (85 comments)

Mega Millions

By Todd Northrop

A 55-year-old Thomasville construction worker is getting ready to build a new life after winning a $50 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot.

"Honey, we won the lotto!" That's what Zippy Vonier, 55, announced to his wife Wednesday morning after discovering that he won $50 million.

"My wife was brushing her teeth, and I told her to come in and sit down," said Vonier, a Thomasville resident. "She was just kind of shocked."

Vonier won by matching all of the winning numbers in Tuesday's Mega Millions drawing.

The jackpot increased from an advertised $49 million to $50 million after final sales were tallied. Vonier selected the cash option and will receive $38,197,097 before taxes.

Vonier bought the jackpot-winning ticket at Susie Q's #0001, located at 13091 U.S. Highway 319 N. in Thomasville. Georgia Lottery officials presented Vonier with a ceremonial check at the store Friday.

The winning numbers from Tuesday's drawing were 5, 12, 26, 42, and 49, with Mega Ball number 24.

"We got the numbers from a random Quik Pik years ago, and we just kept playing the same numbers," Vonier explained.

Vonier and his wife, Betty Jo, have two children and three grandchildren. The construction worker said the family will pay bills then take their time deciding the next step.

"We're not going to do much right now," he said. "Just sit back and weigh our options."

News story photo(Click to display full-size in gallery)

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Congrats! Zippy & Betty Jo Party

BuyLow's avatarBuyLow

Looks like a "Quik Pik" was recycled into a self pick.  It's a new hybrid number type we can discuss....LOL!

 

Best Wishes to the Winners!!

mcginnin56

Another QP saves the day, just in the nick of time.   Dance

Thank God for QP's, where would we be without you. What?

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by mcginnin56 on Dec 2, 2012

Another QP saves the day, just in the nick of time.   Dance

Thank God for QP's, where would we be without you. What?

We would be standing in line behind people checking boxes at the check out counter.......Yes Nod

Nikkicute's avatarNikkicute

Nice job on sticking to those numbers for years!

Good things come to those who wait.

and wait...and wait....lol hey, it paid off lol

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by mcginnin56 on Dec 2, 2012

Another QP saves the day, just in the nick of time.   Dance

Thank God for QP's, where would we be without you. What?

Too bad it wasn't a losing QP turned self pick.........

Nikkicute's avatarNikkicute

Another contruction worker wins the lotto? Cool !!!!Cheers

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by BuyLow on Dec 2, 2012

Looks like a "Quik Pik" was recycled into a self pick.  It's a new hybrid number type we can discuss....LOL!

 

Best Wishes to the Winners!!

I have re-played QPs but never for an extended period......

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by helpmewin on Dec 2, 2012

Congrats! Zippy & Betty Jo Party

                    Party

sully16's avatarsully16

Just goes to show you brushing your teeth has many wonderful benefits,

Congrats to Zippy ans BettyJo, enjoy!

LottoGuyBC's avatarLottoGuyBC

Congrats to the Winners Cheers

Original Bey's avatarOriginal Bey

Nice early retirement package!!!

 

BananaBanana

 

Congrats to the lucky couple

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by sully16 on Dec 2, 2012

Just goes to show you brushing your teeth has many wonderful benefits,

Congrats to Zippy ans BettyJo, enjoy!

I will forever associate brushing my teeth with "I will win the JP someday" lol. lol.

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by sully16 on Dec 2, 2012

Just goes to show you brushing your teeth has many wonderful benefits,

Congrats to Zippy ans BettyJo, enjoy!

WAIT..... this explains why people in Tennessee never win a JP........What?

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