Air Force vet wins $6.5 million after nearly throwing away winning lottery ticket

Aug 3, 2019, 1:27 pm (15 comments)

Oregon Lottery

Air Force veteran William Bowker, 94, almost let a fortune slip right out of his hands.

Bowker often plays the lottery. But when his granddaughter checked his latest lottery ticket for him, she mistakenly thought it was a Mega Millions ticket instead of an Oregon Megabucks ticket.

Luckily, Bowker double-checked — and it paid off.

"She thought it was a Mega Million ticket, and started circling matching numbers on the ticket," Bowker said. "But they were for the wrong game. I had an Oregon's Game Megabucks ticket. 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!"

Turns out one line of numbers on the ticket, without a single number circled, included the winning numbers. His winning numbers were 14-32-41-43-44-47.

"You can still see where she circled the wrong numbers!" he said.

The first thing the 94 -year-old Bowker did was call a family meeting to discuss the prize and how to use it. In fact, his daughter is a tax attorney, and Bowker plans to share his prize among his family members. He opted to take the bulk sum payment of $3.25 million. After taxes he took home $2.2 million.

"I have what I need, and I'm 94," he said. "This is a wonderful way to help my family."

Bowker purchased the ticket at the Jackson's Food Store on SE 82nd Ave. in Happy Valley and used quick pick numbers. His $5 ticket had 10 numbers and, in addition to the $6.5 million jackpot, he also won a free Megabucks ticket. Jackson's officials said they were very excited about selling the winning ticket and that it's the largest ticket they have sold in Oregon so far. The company will receive a 1-percent selling bonus totaling $65,000 for selling the winning ticket.

"Jacksons is thrilled for our customer to have won the lottery, and we are happy to be the retailer to sell the winning Oregon's Game Megabucks ticket," said Katrina Lemmon, advertising and promotions manager for Jacksons Food Stores. "We are especially happy to find out the winner is a retired Air Force Pilot."

During the 2015-17 biennium, more than $55 million in Oregon Lottery proceeds were directed to economic development, parks, education and watershed enhancement in Clackamas County, where Bowker lives and purchased the ticket. Since 1985, Oregon Lottery players have won more than $38 billion in prizes.

The Oregon Lottery reminds players to always sign the back of their Lottery tickets, regardless of the game. In the event of winning a jackpot, they should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings. Prize winners of more than $50,000 are advised to contact the Lottery office and schedule an appointment to claim their prize.

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

cottoneyedjoe's avatarcottoneyedjoe

Anyone else thinking it was no accident the granddaughter circled numbers for the wrong game? Maybe planned to fish it out of the trash later?

Raven62's avatarRaven62

Congrats to the Winner and his Family!

Treat each Lottery Ticket as if it's a Winner until you're Double Sure it's Not!

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Quote: Originally posted by cottoneyedjoe on Aug 3, 2019

Anyone else thinking it was no accident the granddaughter circled numbers for the wrong game? Maybe planned to fish it out of the trash later?

👴even money 

TheGameGrl's avatarTheGameGrl

It's become the in thing to say...I almost lost the ticket, tossed the ticket ...or left it in the car. Really it should say..my life is boring so I'll sensationalized it by making up this tale of drama. 

 

He claimed and so it goes. I'm not going to be THAT person. I'll show up ,tell the media my name and let them create the drama while I go off to live a decent life.

noise-gate

If William is 94, l put he's granddaughter's age in the 50's range. How on earth does William catch her mistake? Probably knew he had to recheck her calculations because she screwed up in the past. Good catch William, you show them how it's done big fella.

Sometimes you just have to DIY.

Banana

sweetie7398's avatarsweetie7398

Congrats💸

music*'s avatarmusic*

Congratulations to William Bowker, 94.   $2.2 million will definitely help himself as well as his family. 

 I guess he did not want the annuity. LOL

 Thank You for your service Air Force veteran William Bowker!

LottoBux's avatarLottoBux

Quote: Originally posted by cottoneyedjoe on Aug 3, 2019

Anyone else thinking it was no accident the granddaughter circled numbers for the wrong game? Maybe planned to fish it out of the trash later?

Anything's Possible.

Maybe At His Age,She Figured He Would Take Her Word For It.

Good On Him Though, For Following Through.

plumsage's avatarplumsage

God bless Mr. William and his family.  I like a winner!!!

HappyDreamer's avatarHappyDreamer

Congratulations for your winning and thank you for your service.

What a blessing for you and your family! You proved that good things happen when you have faith in you and always paid off to check twice. 

Enjoy!!!

Cassie8620's avatarCassie8620

Quote: Originally posted by LottoBux on Aug 4, 2019

Anything's Possible.

Maybe At His Age,She Figured He Would Take Her Word For It.

Good On Him Though, For Following Through.

oh i know a few who were thinking this when hearing the story, that i also shared from here, ya know."

I love seeing a good person who deserve it win, and i am very happy for this AIR FORCE VETERAN. How nice to see this!

-

But, yea, you're right, Lotto Bux ya never know.

 

I am hoping i am blessed to live long as he has, this is so nice, as i personally don't drink.  NEVER smoke nothing at all. Smiley Eat right, with a few several snacks at times lol

but wow early 90s, god bless him! I am sure he will quite generously share with her entire family,those he love or who love her and  make plans for if he pass soon being in his nineties but i hope he live much longer to enjoy some of Smileythis beautiful jackpot."

 

Just like a neighbor of mine whose  mom just turned the ripe old age of 93 and her father is going to be 99 in a week!

Both are so happy IN love, and doing well health-wise, truly amazin'. BananaGod bless him, congratulations.

Stack47

Regardless of what "almost happened" it still was a happy ending.

dpoly1's avatardpoly1

Congrats and thank you for your Service!

US Flag

JAMORA's avatarJAMORA

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on Aug 3, 2019

If William is 94, l put he's granddaughter's age in the 50's range. How on earth does William catch her mistake? Probably knew he had to recheck her calculations because she screwed up in the past. Good catch William, you show them how it's done big fella.

Sometimes you just have to DIY.

Banana

Well, it does say she's a tax attorney....ThudI'd hate to have her do my taxes, and have to check behind her!

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