Leo Pahlke
October 8, 2007October 10
October 10, 2007(AP) Retirement is in the future for a Chauvin man who has claimed the $15 million Powerball jackpot from last Saturday night’s drawing, lottery officials said.
William Heid Jr., 49, said he and a lifelong friend and fishing buddy have purchased $10 worth of Powerball tickets every week since the state lottery joined the multistate game in 1995. They agreed to split any winnings and were returning home from a weekend fishing trip when they learned they held the winning ticket – the 11th Powerball jackpot winner in Louisiana.
“You can’t win if you don’t play,” Heid said.
Heid chose the one-time cash payment option and will receive $7,035,647 – before state and federal taxes are withheld.
“I came in right away to claim the prize because I didn’t want to hold onto the ticket,” he said. “I wanted to get rid of it so I could sleep tonight!”
Heid said he plans to retire and share his winnings with his children and grandchildren. Lottery officials did not release details about Heid’s occupation and a telephone listing for Heid was unavailable.
The winning numbers for the Sept. 29 drawing were 31-33-38-49-55, Powerball 39.
Lapeyrouse Seafood Bar & Grocery sold the winning ticket and will get a one-time selling bonus of $25,000.
