Spencer man wins West Virginia vaccination lottery’s $1.5M grand prize
Wally Board, of Spencer, is the grand prize winner for the “Do It For Babydog” vaccine lottery and won $1.5 million. He is with his daughter Jennifer Nichols and Gov. Jim Justice. (Photo Provided)
Wally Board, of Spencer, was presented with a $1.5 million check by Gov. Jim Justice on Tuesday afternoon. Board was the grand prize winner of the $1.5 million for the “Do It For Babydog” vaccination sweepstakes. (Photo Provided)
Wally Board, of Spencer, is the grand prize winner for the “Do It For Babydog” vaccine lottery and won $1.5 million. He is with his daughter Jennifer Nichols and Gov. Jim Justice. (Photo Provided)
Wally Board, of Spencer, was presented with a $1.5 million check by Gov. Jim Justice on Tuesday afternoon. Board was the grand prize winner of the $1.5 million for the “Do It For Babydog” vaccination sweepstakes. (Photo Provided)
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SPENCER -- A Spencer man was the grand prize winner of the "Do It For Babydog" vaccination lottery and was awarded $1.5 million, presented by Gov. Jim Justice and Babydog on Tuesday afternoon.
Wally Board, a realtor and owner of Board-DePue Realty, felt surprise when he came out of his office and was handed the check.
"I was shocked. (Gov. Justice) said 'I'm going to change your life right now,' I didn't know what he meant. He had the big bone check he pulled it out and said 'you are our grand prize winner,'" Board said.
Justice's assistant Bob Ashley contacted Board and said they needed to talk. Board said the two have known each other for a long time and Board assumed it was related to his real restate business.
When Ashley came to Board's office, he said he wanted to introduce him to somebody; the two walked outside and saw Justice.
"I turned the corner and saw the TV cameras," Board said. "It's just a shock, you don't know what to think. It's overwhelming, it's emotional."
Board plans to meet with an accountant to decide what to do with the money because he is unsure what his plans are. At age 74, Board has no plans to retire or travel with his winnings.
"I don't want to retire so I'm not. When I look forward to Saturday more than I do Monday, I'll retire. But now, I look forward to Monday mornings, I don't look forward to Saturday," he said. "When that changes, it's time to retire. As long as I'm ready to go to work, there's no need to retire."
When the vaccine became available, Board was eager to get his shot as soon as possible. When he did, it was months before the vaccine lottery was announced.
"I wanted to get it as soon as I could get it. I kept calling and I finally got an appointment. I got my first shot Feb. 5. I'm a big supporter of it and I think everybody should get it (but) I think it's a personal choice."
Board was the last winner of the "Do It For Babydog" vaccine lottery sweepstakes but Justice's office said another lottery might be on the horizon.
Candice Black can be reached at cblack@newsandsentinel.com.