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William Porter III of Knightdale said he won a $268,150 Cash 5 jackpot while he was helping his friend, who just got out of the hospital, run an errand.
“I try to live up to my name every day,” said Porter, who served in the Army for 12 years. “It means faithful, protector, and burden bearer.”
On Tuesday, Porter stopped at the Poor Boy General Store & Grill on Poor Boy Grill Farm Road in Knightdale so his friend could get a few things.
“He’s still moving pretty slow,” Porter said. “While I was waiting, I decided to get a Cash 5 ticket.”
Porter used his own numbers. He said each of them is an age he was when something significant in his life happened.
“See the number 27,” Porter said pointing to his ticket. “That’s how old I was when the Beirut barracks bombing happened back in 1983. I used to be a behavioral science officer and they called me in to help.”
When Porter found out he won, he immediately shared the news with his wife of 35 years.
“He came into the house and said, ‘Honey. I think I just won the lottery,’” Porter’s wife Hettie said. “I started screaming, ‘Thank you God! Thank you God!’ It’s just phenomenal. This came at the right time too. We were supposed to sign the papers to refinance our mortgage today. And now we don’t have to. This is such a blessing.”
Porter claimed the prize Thursday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After required state and federal tax withholdings, he took home a check for $189,716.
“Ha! This is what I’m talking about,” Porter said, when he got the check. “I’m in overjoy!”
Porter said he plans to use the money to pay down his mortgage. He’ll also use some of it to finish his man-cave.
Cash 5 is a statewide draw game that gives players the chance to win a jackpot every single night. Tickets cost $1 and players can buy tickets at most lottery retailers or through Online Play on the lottery’s website.
Ticket sales from draw games like Cash 5 make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $700 million a year for education. For details on how lottery funds have helped all of North Carolina’s 100 counties, click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website. https://www.nclottery.com
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