Southern Pines man plans to buy house after winning jackpot

Phillip Williams, of Southern Pines, said he can buy a house now after his $1 Cash 5 ticket won a $757,128 jackpot in Wednesday’s drawing.

“This is going to help me get my feet back on the ground,” Williams said.

Williams, 43, bought his lucky ticket from the Speedway on U.S. 15-501 in Carthage. He said he has been playing the same lucky numbers on all his Cash 5 tickets.

“I’ve been replaying my family’s birthdates for my numbers,” Williams said. “And the final number is my age.”

Williams stopped at the store to scan his ticket and realized he won a prize.

“I thought I won a dollar,” Williams laughed. “I didn’t realize I won the jackpot until I saw the numbers online.”

Williams arrived at lottery headquarters Thursday to collect his prize and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $537,638.

“I couldn’t believe it when I saw how much I won,” Williams said.