Jackpot lottery ticket: dying man's final gift

Jun 1, 2005, 7:12 pm (52 comments)

Florida Lottery

A woman who bought a lottery ticket at the urging of her dying father won almost $1 million the day he passed away.

Yolanda Williams won the $979,440 prize after her father, Frank Reppa, sent her from his hospital room May 24 to go to a convenience store and buy a ticket. The two had always bought lottery tickets together.

"My father gave this to me," said Williams, 50, a retired custodian for the St. James City post office in Lee County on the Gulf Coast. 'It is a blessing and a gift."

Williams turned in a Mega Money ticket bearing the numbers 18-21-34-43 and the Megaball 20, to lottery officials Tuesday in Tallahassee. She took her winnings in a one-time lump sum, rather than $1.3 million spread over 20 years.

Williams said she took on the job of caring for her ailing father six years ago. Williams and Reppa, 79, played the Florida lottery almost every day — sometimes they would spend a dollar or sometimes $10 on the game, she said.

"I shop all over for tickets," Williams said. 'I'm a gambler and he's a gambler. If we had $100 in our pockets, we'd buy a hundred tickets, scratch-offs, lottery, whatever."

Williams and her husband, Sherman, a disabled commercial fisherman, have five children and five grandchildren.

Neighbor Tom Desantis, 37, said the family has struggled in the five years he has known them.

"They always had it hard," he said. 'You do what you can do to get by."

Now Williams and her husband are considering buying 140 acres in north Florida and paying off some of her father's bills with the winnings.

"This gave my father dignity at his funeral," Williams said. 'May my father rest in peace."

Bokeelia is located at the north end of Pine Island in the Gulf of Mexico, just west of Cape Coral.

AP

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visiondude's avatarvisiondude

  quick,  someone get ahold of pick4-master and tell him that God has nothing to do with the lottery Green laugh

20 youknowwho

jeffrey's avatarjeffrey

They aren't liable for her fathers bills. Keep the money for yourself. You need it.

Pick-4_Master

GOD/MAN created the beginning of Modern Day Lotteries when the "Casting Of Lots" was used in the Bible and since GOD/MAN are "ONE" I guess GOD has something to do with the Lottery "Our Will is his Will his Will is our Will" it's all the same he desires what we desire that we all get what we want.

Pick-4_Master

So your "RIGHT" "VisionDude" GOD does have something to do with the Lottery as long as it's what we want.

visiondude's avatarvisiondude

  dearest pick4,

  you and i  (despite our differences),  have a good "history"  together.  so when i saw this,  i couldn't resist.

so it was just for fun, not contention.

pretty cool story eh?

youknowwho / 20

Todd's avatarTodd



GOD/MAN created the beginning of Modern Day Lotteries when the "Casting Of Lots" was used in the Bible and since GOD/MAN are "ONE" I guess GOD has something to do with the Lottery "Our Will is his Will his Will is our Will" it's all the same he desires what we desire that we all get what we want.





Honestly, the "casting of lots" in the Bible has little or nothing to do with the lottery.  It was a distribution of land based on need and ability, and had nothing to do with chance.  People saying that the Bible mentions lotteries is a myth.

visiondude's avatarvisiondude






GOD/MAN created the beginning of Modern Day Lotteries when the "Casting Of Lots" was used in the Bible and since GOD/MAN are "ONE" I guess GOD has something to do with the Lottery "Our Will is his Will his Will is our Will" it's all the same he desires what we desire that we all get what we want.





Honestly, the "casting of lots" in the Bible has little or nothing to do with the lottery.  It was a distribution of land based on need and ability, and had nothing to do with chance.  People saying that the Bible mentions lotteries is a myth.



  true.  they are the scriptures that people use to justify gambling biblically.

  BTW;  did you end up getting one of those ministerial licenses from the legitimate  (sic)  "universal life church" ?

 with lottery post growing so fast, i am sure that one day you will be asked to marry a couple that met in here (lol).

youknowwho/youknowwho

Pick-4_Master

The Bible does not mention Lotteries or Gambling that is "CORRECT"  and "Casting Of Lots" had nothing to do with gambling back then because it did not exist.But the word Lottery is derived from the word "Lot" and later became the form of gambling that we have today with our modern day Lotteries.Gambling is not "Justified" or "Denied" Biblically,whether it's considered a SIN or not is really a matter of OPINION or INTERPRETATION of Scripture.Anyway GOOD Luck to all "Hows it going VisionDude" I know you like to gamble still playing your 1 "Quick-Pick"?

 

 

SirMetro's avatarSirMetro

Hummm....roughly, $26 Million for $979,440??? Somebody please tell me where I can get interest payments like that. Either somebody has a zero in the wrong place or that woman got cheated out of a lot of money (roughly $11 million needed to create a $26 million payout over 20 years). I am really surprised nobody seem to notice that.

Oh, and uh...in regards to Gambling, I think it did exist in the time the Bible was wrote. Unless the sunday school stories I remember is wrong, doesn't the bible talk about how Jesus cast out the gamblers and money dealers from the house of worship (or something to that extent).

Sir Metro

Pick-4_Master

Really? I did not know that well I guess maybe WE stand CORRECTED?

visiondude's avatarvisiondude

The Bible does not mention Lotteries or Gambling that is "CORRECT"  and "Casting Of Lots" had nothing to do with gambling back then because it did not exist.But the word Lottery is derived from the word "Lot" and later became the form of gambling that we have today with our modern day Lotteries.Gambling is not "Justified" or "Denied" Biblically,whether it's considered a SIN or not is really a matter of OPINION or INTERPRETATION of Scripture.Anyway GOOD Luck to all "Hows it going VisionDude" I know you like to gamble still playing your 1 "Quick-Pick"?

 

 

pick4,

 i am doing good, thanks.

 i am still playing my $1 quick pick on the jackpot games,  but that is only because i am eventually "meant to". 

i don't gamble on any other level.  no pick3,  no scratch off's,  not even a super bowl pool.  gambling doesn't do anything for me interest wise, so the only reason i even bother with my (1)  QP, is because i know that i am "meant to"...

as a christian,  i don't have any thing against gambling as such.  but i don't promote it either as it is a matter of conscience.  i personally think it's ok if ones conscience is cool about it, and someone doesn't throw alot of money at it trying to win something they are most likely not meant to.

  and of course it wouldn't be a wise thing if someone hangs thier hope/future on it (even if  one knows they are "meant to").  that is the one unfortunate thing i see at LP alot.  is that people think that the lottery is the answer to thier life and when they see that someone else has won instead of them, they become really depressed.  how sad...

 flying "v"

visiondude's avatarvisiondude

Hummm....roughly, $26 Million for $979,440??? Somebody please tell me where I can get interest payments like that. Either somebody has a zero in the wrong place or that woman got cheated out of a lot of money (roughly $11 million needed to create a $26 million payout over 20 years). I am really surprised nobody seem to notice that.

Oh, and uh...in regards to Gambling, I think it did exist in the time the Bible was wrote. Unless the sunday school stories I remember is wrong, doesn't the bible talk about how Jesus cast out the gamblers and money dealers from the house of worship (or something to that extent).

Sir Metro

 that particular story wasn't about gambling,  it was about greed and deception while using God for personal gain.

the money changers were selling temple sacrifices (turtle doves) and were taking advantage of the people monetarily.

Jesus became enraged at the thought that someone would take advantage of someone using something that he commissoned for the purpose of being obedient to him, for personal gain.

i am absolutely sure that God is still incensed when he sees all these goobers on TV these days telling people that they will "prosper" after they "tithe" to them.  as if the blessings of God are either attached to money, or can be "purchased".  the only people "prospering" ...are those televangelists.  sickening.  because people are desperate and because they maybe ignorant of how God works,  they get taken advantage of by these people who "use God"  .....for personal gain.

it is so prevalent that people are actually getting into the "ministry" because they know it's easy tax-free pickings.  people that have no interest in God, teach themselves the "vernacular" so that they can sell themselves. they use people, then out of business they go when they "smell" that someone is on to them.  i saw one guy in calif do this multiple times.  he is now a wanted man.

i used to live in the ATL and it is really prevalent there.  when you get a chance sir metro, watch anyone and see how long it takes for them to mention money.  ....they always do (puke)

 20/20  (peoplewithvisioncantellthesheepfromthegoats)

Pick-4_Master

I agree with you there VISIONDUDE when GAMBLING  becomes an obsession and they start spending unwisely then it's a problem but it doesn't make that person a sinner (like some people think)(not referring to you though) just irresponsible

SirMetro's avatarSirMetro

Vision...thanks...I knew somebody would take the time to correct me Jester

But in regards to my original comment...I am still amazed nobody is noticing the huge difference in $$$ listed between annuity and lump sum. Or am I the only one who finds this ruther incredible?

Sir Metro

LuckyFoxTerrier's avatarLuckyFoxTerrier

Sir Metro, I noticed, and once church is done here, maybe we could discuss it!

 

LuckyFox

LuckyFoxTerrier's avatarLuckyFoxTerrier

Hey Hey, Pick4Master!!!!!  Where on earth have you been?!  Great to see you, man! 

 

LFox

Pick-4_Master

hEY "LUCKYFOX" just been working hard with my Lottery Group "Lucky 7 Club"

visiondude's avatarvisiondude

Sir Metro, I noticed, and once church is done here, maybe we could discuss it!

 

LuckyFox

 church?  who said anything about church?

  now if you would like, i can explain what "church" really is (and it has NOTHING to do with a building).  all you have to do is ask.

and remember,  you don't have to "attend" if you don't want to.

but me (and others beside you) realize that "church"  ...is NEVER "closed".

"God"  plays a big role at LP (despite your opposition).  and HE  will be in here long after you (and me) are gone...

20/20 (andgettingclearereveryday)

Pick-4_Master

I don't think "LuckyFox" opposes GOD being here VisionDude just people that PREACH there views a little too strongly at times.

LuckyFoxTerrier's avatarLuckyFoxTerrier

VD, The problem I always ALWAYS have with YOU, not with God, is that you assume too much!  You THINK you know EVERYTHING!  And you don't.  You know very little of my views on "God" and whether you like it or not, YOU are not the only one who knows something of God!  So, yeah, I get really sick of you and most so called "christians" pushing your "version" of God and CHURCH on to everone and everything all the time! 

It seems just fine these days for christians to be outspoken in EVERY arena - politics, in business, etc.  It is the USA where free speech is fine.  Therefore, I have become very outspoken myself lately just to keep people like you OUT OF MY FACE.  The other day I went into an Arby's to buy a chicken wrap.  Posted on the wall by the cash register were two huge tabloids of the 10 Commandments.  I think that's an outrage that churchy stuff like that that makes my skin personally crawl has to be posted in a fast food restaurant.  I mentioned that I was offended by it and you would've thought the world was coming to an end.  Now it was fine for THEM to post this crap n my face! But, it was, in their views, NOT ok for me to voice that I did NOT appreciate this!  That's the problem I and many others have with people like you and this particular Arby's restaurant, is this one sided, selfrighteousness.

I have no problem with God.  I have a problem with those who so arrogantly assume they know everything about God and wrongly assume everyone else, & every other culture, everyone who thinks a little differently than they do, is wrong and will automatically go to hell. 

If you want "church" here, then lets look at Jesus' REAL message which people like you seem to miss.  LOVE ONE ANOTHER.  It was that simple.  Could change the whole world, yet most christians support a president who sends us off to war ...... real loving, I say.  The hyprocrisy just astounds me.  Block abortion/start war.  Hmmm.  That's pretty confusing to me, and must send a very mixed message to children.  And supposedly "God" .... their God, your God, condones this!  Sorry, but I don't buy it, and never will.

LuckyFox

 

visiondude's avatarvisiondude

VD, The problem I always ALWAYS have with YOU, not with God, is that you assume too much!  You THINK you know EVERYTHING!  And you don't.  You know very little of my views on "God" and whether you like it or not, YOU are not the only one who knows something of God!  So, yeah, I get really sick of you and most so called "christians" pushing your "version" of God and CHURCH on to everone and everything all the time! 

It seems just fine these days for christians to be outspoken in EVERY arena - politics, in business, etc.  It is the USA where free speech is fine.  Therefore, I have become very outspoken myself lately just to keep people like you OUT OF MY FACE.  The other day I went into an Arby's to buy a chicken wrap.  Posted on the wall by the cash register were two huge tabloids of the 10 Commandments.  I think that's an outrage that churchy stuff like that that makes my skin personally crawl has to be posted in a fast food restaurant.  I mentioned that I was offended by it and you would've thought the world was coming to an end.  Now it was fine for THEM to post this crap n my face! But, it was, in their views, NOT ok for me to voice that I did NOT appreciate this!  That's the problem I and many others have with people like you and this particular Arby's restaurant, is this one sided, selfrighteousness.

I have no problem with God.  I have a problem with those who so arrogantly assume they know everything about God and wrongly assume everyone else, & every other culture, everyone who thinks a little differently than they do, is wrong and will automatically go to hell. 

If you want "church" here, then lets look at Jesus' REAL message which people like you seem to miss.  LOVE ONE ANOTHER.  It was that simple.  Could change the whole world, yet most christians support a president who sends us off to war ...... real loving, I say.  The hyprocrisy just astounds me.  Block abortion/start war.  Hmmm.  That's pretty confusing to me, and must send a very mixed message to children.  And supposedly "God" .... their God, your God, condones this!  Sorry, but I don't buy it, and never will.

LuckyFox

 

 what happened to your self control lucky?  we have "history" together and i thought that you were content on your side of the board?    i was.

 why should a person,  like me,  who is not afraid to stand up for the real Jesus Christ (not the politically correct one),  bother little ol' you?  especially if it is not something that you care to follow/believe in?  like i told you over and over, i don't "aim" my comments at people like you.  but somehow you feel offended by my stance.  i cannot apologize as it is part of doing "business".

  my "aim" is at the many people in here that believe as i do. it is not an opinion of one,  but of many do you understand that now?  unlike some people in here who worry more about what people think of them rather than what God thinks of them and thier subsequent "stances" in life, i don't worry about the fact that what i say divides some people because if it is what i  think it is,  it is supposed to.

if you don't like it, don't read it.  but if you even think that you will somehow get me to the place where i won't talk about it, or where you will weaken my stance on it by "softening" the message.... that lucky is a most precious waste of your time. i have been in here long before you got here, and the things that God is doing thru my life will be around LOOOOOOOOOOOONG after you have moved on. 

 you are not the first,  but many in a long list who have tried.  if it floats your boat, have at it.  you will fail as well.  i have a job (of sorts)  to do at LP.

   whether you like it or not,  God is using me in here (or so i claim and time will tell).  but His "aim" is at those who are on the same page, or those who are still at the point where they are searching as to who he might be.  a tap on the shoulder of sorts. 

it's not like i know everything or think that i am the end all - be all on the God issue.  but one thing is for certain, i am not afraid to say what i do know, nor will i shrink back at the thought of those who oppose me as i have work to do in here (VISION).  and by the time God is done with me in here (and he shows himself thru my life), then whatever equation people come to as a result of that is between God and them.  in the maentime,  i don't pretend to think that i am anyone special.  so don't confuse my boldness with self-righteousness.  still i remain faithful until that time,  so your efforts to silence the "vision",  will always be futile. 

IMO, you talk to dead people (channeling),  and consult demons (seth) for directions for your life.  despite my opposition to that,  do you see me chasing you around?  but if you like, we can become "acquainted" again.  it's really up to you as i would think by now that you would realize that i don't wither when someone challenges my place in here.  but as you will.  i don't run, hide or "wither".

"Christians" are supposed to be outspoken.  they are not supposed to shove Christ per se down peoples throats but i tell you what, any Christian who knows anything about who Christ really is and what he did for them will ALWAYS pick Christ over peoples feelings.  once that door does open, they are not afraid to walk thru it.  unfortunately for some in here, they are more worried about making friends and hurting peoples feelings than they are about taking a stand when necessary.  that is not me.  i am thankful for what he did for me and i intend to share that sentiment with those who feel the same way (when the timing is right) so that they can grow and become encourage in thier faith.  if i have to be the whipping boy,  i got big shoulders and i am good with that.

if you don't like what Christians have to say, you have a voice.  you can vote.  if you don't like the 10 commandments posted in a privately owned restaurant,  go across the street to burger king.  they believe in re-incarnation.  they're burgers in a past life used to be a cow (ok that was sarcastic,  but i couldn't resist).  you mentioned that because you live in an area that is populated by alot of christians and that oppresses you (which i understand why),  then move.  there is always san francisco,  new mexico and a few other places where people talk to dead people.  then you can feel more politically correct.  but it would be futile to think that christians are going to be silenced as they too live in a free world.  neither of us has to listen and or take what either of us has to say as "gospel".  just turn the page.

i would be remiss if i didn't address your comments about a God who would be in favor of war.  any Christian worth thier salt who actually really knows anything about the biblical history of Gods stance on war knows that God DOES advocate war against evil .....as a last resort.  the bible is filled with the stories of how God commanded his people to both avenge his name,  and to deal with people whose sole intention was evil.  sometimes, he just did it himself.  remember that story about noah, the flood and all that?  why did noah not swat those two flies when he had a chance?

"they" (the terrorists, not the flies) attacked us first and if you think that what they did was not sufficiently evil enough to be defended against so that it will never happen again,  then maybe you should move to iraq where you  can make a difference there.  although i doubt that you will ever have a chance to vote if that time comes.  heck if you had a husband there, he might not let you stroll over to arby's where most likely they would have a copy of the koran hanging around. 

if you want to go over to wherever osama bin dip wad is and "love him" back to his senses,  then be my guest.  i for one (and i know that God is pleased that we are willing to defend against evil),  am glad that we went over there and cleaned up the mess.  now what i don't like is that we are still there.  i am not sure of the answer and i appreciate someone like bush standing up for whats right,  but we need to get out of there and let "them" handle their own business.  i don't like the idea that we are expending some of our own lives for thier freedom.  initially i believe that our invasion was "righteous".  i don't know the answer of how to get out of there while fulfilling our obligation to make things right and "righteously" finish what we started.  i hope it ends soon but i don't see that happening.  to a certain extent,  let them kill themselves as they work out some resolution.  and if some other dip wad pushes out his chest and is a legitimate threat to us,  then i guess will have to defend ourselves again. 

 you have this wrong mis-conception about who God is concerning this issue (at least the God of the bible).  i will be more than happy to recite the many historical accounts of God avenging his name,  and dealing with evil if you wish.  that way you won't ever again confuse the God of the bible as some touchy-feely politically correct "god".  the other side of our loving God who extends his hand to all and is always his first move toward his creation, is also a just and righteous God who will ALWAYS avenge his name,  and those who purpetrate evil. inculding those who oppose his will.  oops.  there goes my honesty...

your turn...

 20/15 (sincewhendopeoplewithvisionallowotherstoripitoutofthierhand?)

LuckyFoxTerrier's avatarLuckyFoxTerrier

blah, blah blah, whatEVER, VD. 

 

LFox

Pick-4_Master

GOD uses people? I didn't know GOD "used" people against there free will

visiondude's avatarvisiondude

GOD uses people? I didn't know GOD "used" people against there free will

  i am not sure what you mean exactly.  explain a little bit further and i will of course give you an explanation.

 "V"

atlasshrugged's avataratlasshrugged

visiondude, I just read the long statement you made. I so agree with you. I'm not gonna go so far as to say that you are a genius but you're pretty smart. IMHO. But I don't understand the statement at the end: "oops, there goes my honesty..." Huh? -Bonnie

Pick-4_Master

Oh My GoodNess!!!!

LuckyFoxTerrier's avatarLuckyFoxTerrier

Anyways, I think it's way cool that that man had his daughter buy a ticket and then he died and left her with all that money.  Talk about "vision".  He had it.  Personally, I think it had little to do with God.  If it did, God would have us all out there buying winning tickets....God knows we all ASK to!  That old guy's inward vision was probably opening up b/c he was ready to pass through the veil to the other side.  Just the same way people can begin to see their deceased loved ones waiting on them right before they cross over.

Would be my luck to become that psychic, get the ticket and die, too!  LOL  Good grief!!  Reminds me of the Alanis Morisette song, "it's like rain on your wedding day, like a fly in your chardonnay ....etc ...... won the lottery/died the next day." 

I have to wonder if he's on the other side kinda kicking himself!  LOL 

LFox

MADDOG10's avatarMADDOG10

I can't see where this man had a  "vision". If I read correctly, he and his daughter had been playing all along. I don't think just because he told his daughter to get him a ticket which they had done for many years in the past and it won constitutes he had a "vision". but then again thats only my opinion. 

LuckyFoxTerrier's avatarLuckyFoxTerrier

Yeah, you're right, it's probably just a random thing.  I've really got to watch that creative thinking thing that I do ..... makes life a little too interesting and "out of the box". 

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