Eighty-five-year-old Bob Hissom bought a winning lottery ticket Jan. 1 of last year and just cashed it in this week — right before it expired.
"I hold onto everything, I don't throw anything away," said Hissom.
Thank goodness he did, because now he's now $400,000 richer.
"I didn't really think so until they handed us the check today," he said. "I said something is going to go wrong."
It started last year on January 1st when he bought Lotto tickets like he does every week at the Picnic Basket Market in Plymouth, Michigan.
He bought a Lucky for Life easy pick with a payout of $25,000 a year for life.
"I folded it up and put it in the box, I didn't think it was a winner," he said.
He keeps all his old tickets in the same tin, but didn't crack it open until he saw the story about the unclaimed ticket on the news.
Then he perked up and checked the tin. Sure enough it was a perfect match, he realized it just days before the ticket was about to expire.
"I'm 85 years old, I'm not going to go for 20 years, so I said it is obvious it has to be the lump sum," he said.
The grand total amounts to $390,000 before taxes. Bob's late wife Dona, a lottery enthusiast, knew they would win big someday.
"You want to know how many times the number 4 came up in the last few years, she could tell you," he said.
Donna even had left a list for Bob of the percentages each family member will receive from their winnings and that's what he's going with.
"It's not enough for everyone to be millionaires or whatnot, but it's going to help us," he said.
Bob says he will keep buying Lotto tickets each week and he's going to buy them right here.
(Click to display full-size in gallery)
Once Again: An Eleventh Hour Lottery Winnings Claim!
Whewwwwwwwww, that was close !! But you made it. Congrats to you and your family Bob. Not bad after playing for 33 years. Donna was a smart gal.
Depending upon when his late wife passed, Donna may have had a hand in helping Bob win.
Bob may want to enjoy the money before leaving some to his relatives.
Quite a few stories have come out lately of people claiming large winning tickets at the last minute.
I wonder how many large winning tickets went unclaimed?
Not only that, but these people find out only because the state advertises the fact that a large winner has not been claimed. They never advertise smaller unclaimed winners, so the fraction of smaller winners (which is most winners overall) going unclaimed must be pretty high.
Sad!
Congratulations to him. I like that he is honoring his late wife's decision to share their winnings with family.
"Bob says he will keep buying Lotto tickets each week and he's going to buy them right here."
Yeah, but is he going to check them?
He's got a year...
I hate to say it, but at his age he probably shouldn't wait keep waiting that long though. Anyways, congrats to him.
Better not too late or never. Congrats Bob
Good thing he watched the NEWS the night they did a story about the unclaimed ticket.
Bob says " he doesn't throw anything away." For a moment, his moment, l thought just how great it is to be a hoarder. That's one lucky Michigander.
If he keeps everything, I wonder what other goodies he might have saved.
He might have some baseball cards from the 1940's or 1950's or pre-1965 U.S. silver coins. Just imagine how much they could be worth.
A 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card recently sold on ebay for $120,688.00.
Pre 65 silvers would be a very nice option...Even a roll of 55 double die Lincolns uncir. could cause a stir
I'm beginning to think the $1 billion dollar winner in SC is going to wait until last day to claim it.
Yes MM, perhaps the kids have wanted nothing to do with all the " stuff" the grandfather has stored up over the years.
This find could make them pitch in and unearth "treasures" the Patriarch may have stored away.I like your thinking.
Treasure hunt, anyone???