Ayden man wins $100,000 lottery prize

For years William Shivers of Ayden believed he would win big playing the lottery.

On Friday it happened when a new scratch-off game produced a $100,000 prize, the N.C. Education Lottery reported.

“I always told my family I was going to win one day,” he told the lottery.

Shivers bought his lucky $30 200X The Cash ticket from the Circle K on South Memorial Drive in Winterville. He won the first $100,000 prize in the new game.

“I was in disbelief,” Shivers said. “I think that game is my new favorite now.”

He immediately told his family the good news.

“The first text I sent in my family group just said, ‘I finally did it,’” Shivers said. “I called my wife and she thought I was joking.”

Shivers arrived at lottery headquarters Monday to collect his prize and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $71,509.

Shivers plans to pay some bills and build a metal shop in his backyard.

The 200X The Cash game debuted last week with five $5 million top prizes and 10 $100,000 prizes.

The five $5 million prizes and nine $100,000 prizes remain to be claimed after Shivers’ win.