Steven Wilson was at a loss for words on Thursday afternoon when West Virginia Lottery officials presented him with a check for $1 million.
While he didn't win the $1.5 billion Powerball Jackpot on Wednesday night, he still walked away a winner when he matched five of the winning numbers, only missing the Powerball.
Wilson, of East Liverpool, Ohio, purchased the ticket in Chester, after his wife came up with the idea that Ohio tickets are less likely to win.
"It just so happens that was a great idea and it worked," Wilson said.
Chaney's Service Station in Chester, will also receive $10,000 for selling Wilson's winning ticket.
With his winnings, Wilson plans on paying off his student loans, help out his mother pay off his late father's house, and purchase a home for his family. He said he will continue working as a Shipping Coordinator at a company based in Pittsburgh.
Wilson, who spent $400 on tickets, turned on the weather report Wednesday night and caught the ticket numbers at the bottom of the screen.
He said he hurried up and wrote it down then checked the numbers to his tickets. When he saw the matching numbers he was in shock.
"I rechecked it at least six times," Wilson said.
He started screaming for his wife, Nancy, who checked it again and again for him. After confirming they had won, the pair got into their car and drove four hours to Charleston to claim their prize. Wilson had already taken two days off work.
"Everything happens for a reason, I guess," Wilson said.
West Virginia Acting Lottery Director John Myers said Wilson was one of 88 people nationwide to match five numbers.
Three tickets will share the $1.5 billion jackpot.
While Wilson is not a West Virginia resident, Myers was still pleased that West Virginia produced a million dollar winner. Over the last two years, there have been 12 million-dollar winners in the state.
"We're happy that we were able to sell the ticket, and apparently Mr. Wilson is someone who frequents West Virginia quite a bit," Meyers said. "We're happy for him."
West Virginians have spent roughly $11.48 million on Powerball tickets over the last two weeks, according to Randy Burnside, public relations and drawing manager.
Burnside said $5.2 million was generated in sales from Saturday's Powerball, and an additional $6.28 million worth of tickets were sold leading up to Wednesday night's drawing.
"With those sales totals of the last two weeks, Powerball has been very good to West Virginia and helps us return money to the state and good causes," Burnside said.
For every dollar spent on a Powerball ticket, just about 29 percent is returned to the state and 50 percent goes to some prizes, according to Burnside.
In addition to the $1 million winner, five tickets matching four numbers and the Powerball number also were sold in West Virginia. Those tickets - worth $50,000 - were purchased at Par Mar #23 on Old East Grafton Road in Fairmont, the Speedway at Rt. 33 and Scott Lane in Scott Depot, Sheetz #137 on Charles Town Road in Kearneysville, Sheetz #458 on Courthouse Road in Princeton and the Loading Zone on Ridgecrest Road in Wheeling.
Myers encouraged all lottery players to sign the back of their tickets and check them closely.
The West Virginia Lottery advised the winners to sign the back of their winning tickets immediately and keep them in a secure place. Winners can call the West Virginia Lottery at 304-558-0500 for further instructions on claiming their prizes.
The Powerball numbers for Wednesday were 4, 8, 19, 27, 34 and the Powerball was 10. The PowerPlay multiplier was 2x. Tickets that were sold in California, Tennessee and Florida matched all six numbers and those players will share the record $1.58 billion jackpot.
All told, 128,874 Powerball tickets that were sold in West Virginia for the Wednesday drawing won a prize, Burnside said.
West Virginia also had a player match five numbers in the Hot Lotto game last night. That ticket, which was sold at M & C Market in Rock, is worth $30,000.
Reach Laura Haight at laura.haight@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-4843 or follow @laurahaight_ on Twitter.