A man who chooses the words for crossword puzzles in newspapers hits the "Mega Money" game for $346,115.42.
By Times Staff Writer
Published March 30, 2004
[Times file photo]
Wayne Williams of New Port Richey, pictured in 1998 when Tribune Media Services made him its puzzle editor, has won $346,115.42 in a state lottery game.
There was no point in calling Wayne Williams on Monday. The New Port Richey resident wasn't home.
His aunt, Edna Burak, figures he was out spending his lottery winnings.
Williams, one of four "Mega Money" winners in the March 16 drawing, elected to take his payout in one lump sum, Florida lottery officials said.
That's $346,115.42.
The 55-year-old crossword puzzle editor told the lottery folks that his only initial purchase would be a new set of golf clubs. But, by Sunday, according to his aunt, he'd bought a car.
What kind? "I don't know what kind," she said. "One of the best ones, I know."
Williams makes his living creating nationally syndicated crossword puzzles.
In a 1998 story, he told the Times he began making puzzles to pay his way through Europe. He also wrote a book on how to win at Pac-Man. He said then that his puzzling allowed him to live "reasonably well."
His aunt called him a big spender.
If he wasn't playing golf on Monday, she said, "he's out paying his bills and whatnot."
Williams bought his winning ticket at A-1 Discount Store No. 3, 6529 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey.
