Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 11, 1993                   TAG: 9305110371
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

NOT EVEN SON KNEW DAD WON LOTTERY

"You're kidding?" 16-year-old Brandon Wykle said after learning that his father, Merle, walked into the Richmond lottery office Monday morning to claim his one-third of the $9,436,063 prize. "I wish he would have told me or something."

Lottery officials said Wykle kept the winning ticket in a safe-deposit box at his bank. He waited two months in order to consult with financial advisers before claiming his prize, officials said.

Wykle declined to talk to the media and his phone had been disconnected Monday.

Brandon, who lives with his mother in Roanoke, said he talked to his father about a week ago. He never mentioned the lottery, Brandon said.

Employees at Appalachian Power Co.'s line department where Wykle works said he hasn't mentioned plans to quit his job.

Wykle received a check Monday for $106,094 after taxes. He will get annual checks of $106,986 for 19 years

Wykle bought the winning ticket at the Uni-Mart at 1219 Jamison Ave. in Roanoke. He told lottery officials he has been playing the lottery since it began in Virginia, choosing some of his own numbers and letting the computer select some.

Lottery officials said Wykle could have waited until September to turn in his ticket.