There's no telling what Ronald Willis had in the back of his mind to buy.
He wouldn't say. But whatever it is, he can probably afford it.
The 55-year-old Rialto man became the state's newest millionaire, parlaying a Mega Millions ticket purchased at a Riverside convenience store into a $120 million lottery win on a draw Tuesday, Sept. 11. He came forward to claim the prize at the California Lottery headquarters in San Bernardino on Friday, Sept. 14, where he faced a line of television cameras.
"I don't know any of that," Willis said, asked about his plans. "All I know is we're enjoying the moment."
For those keeping score with a spreadsheet, Willis gets $92.1 million if he takes the money in a lump sum. That translates into an after-tax take home of just under $70 million, according to lottery officials. If he takes payments, it will be $4.6 million a year for 26 years. Willis said he's still deciding what option to take.
A Louisiana native who grew up in LA, Willis told reporters that he regularly plays the lottery, routinely buying tickets from a store in Rialto using two lines of pre-determined numbers and a quick pick. He had never won more than a few bucks. It was the first time he bought a ticket from the 7-Eleven at 3740 Iowa Avenue in Riverside, purchasing it on a whim.
When lottery officials announced that the winning ticket had been sold in Riverside, he initially thought nothing of it because he forgot that he had purchased the ticket there. Once his fiancée, Yolanda Mangum, reminded him that he bought the ticket in Riverside he got it and checked it.
"I was kind of calm and collected about it," Willis said, flanked by Mangum, his brother, Bruce Willis, and six other family members. "I just sat down on the couch and I started thinking about it. I said, 'This is it.' "
Willis said he remained calm. His family, including four children, did enough jumping-for-joy for him.
The store that sold the ticket may do some jumping as well. It will get $600,000 from the state lottery.
The winning numbers were: 5, 11, 20, 33, 36 and Mega number 11.
It was the highest jackpot awarded in Inland Southern California in recent years.
In 2011, an 84-year-old Hemet man won a $7 million jackpot from a ticket purchased at a liquor store off Sanderson Avenue.
Several Inland residents had won a small share, resulting in several hundred thousand dollars, during the record $540 million nationwide jackpot in March.
The largest winning jackpot in California was $315 million in 2005.
Asked if he'd keep playing the lottery, Willis laughed.
"Yes," he said. "To win more."
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Hurray for this young man!
Your patience, determination and faith put you to where you are right now, Mr. Willis. Congratulations! You are the next millionaire. When you said that you were so calm, I just couldn't imagine, that a lotto millionaire was so calm knowing that he won big bucks of millions. May you always, enjoy your moment...my congratulations.
Yes, and nice to have "Bruce Willis" along anytime.
Also nice that he "checked his ticket" lol. lol.
Hopefully. I'm next.i'll take either multi or state lottery.this shows that you should keep playing ur picks.
Maybe there's some hope for me yet. I matched 5of6 in Ohio Super Lotto ten years ago but that was so long ago it doesn't count any more.
I was checking the MegaMillions sales figures for each state and Californians spend more money on MM tickets than any other state, no wonder there are so many stories about them winning the MM jackpots. Just proves if you keep buying tickets, one of them could be a winner some day.
I wonder if the winner was one of his personal picks or a quick pick.
Except it sounds like he bought a random ticket at a random store.........
and only checked it because of an announcement.
Interesting that it doesnt say how he pick the numbers at the random store he was in.
Sounds like he only checked his tickets because he was reminded that he bought tickets at that location but I'm betting he always checked his tickets regardless of where he bought them.
If I ever won big I would be tempted to come up with an equally casual story instead of revealing the amount of time I spent picking my numbers, checking them after the drawings and revising the strategy I'll used to pick my next ones.
$120M...Very Nice
Congratulations,Mr.Willis.Take the cash option.
he looks like a really young 55-year-old
next party in Pennsylvania ...............
If he were any younger, he'd be 54!
There are many munibonds that offer 4-5% returns that woud increase his nest egg substantially without ever touching the principal.
It appears his fiancee already has plans for some of his money.
The winner picked his own numbers, according to the CA lottery.
I think her first plan is gonna be to get married before he changes his mind.
Congrats! Nice win! I am looking forward to powerball this wednesday night. Good luck to me!-weshar75
I'm sure she's not the only one. People he doesn't even know yet are making plans for some of his money.
I'm gonna whim me some too.
His girlfriend looks like a really young 55 - year too.
Im all for whimming RedStang
Ahhh to be youthful again........how I wish I could be 55 again!
Yes, and have a much younger girlfriend too.......... lol.
I think the rule of thumb for a girlfriend, is to be about half the age of the boyfriend.
Just simple math really. No need for a Rocket Scientist here.
That IS the rule........ as soon as you reach 36....... lol.
Precisely. So when you reach the age of 100, you should look forward to having a girlfriend at the ripe old age of 50.
At age 100, a hot young 50 year old will be quite a catch indeed. lol.
Your getting off topic here.
Tell me more of the 2 if 2 of 21.
I feel you are leading me astray Master, perhaps to test my morales??
The 2 if 2 of 21 discussion is taking place on another thread......
https://www.lotterypost.com/thread/247020/93
Your responses and morals have passed this test with flying colors.
You shall soon be receiving your third blue bar via FedEx.
Well done grasshopper, you've made us all proud.
now now....There are just as many men nowadays looking for $ from women as the other way. Not all women are money grubbers....why some of us are even edumacated....lol...and earn our own incomes.
And some are gifted Artist's, and have their own successful business.
Good points Artist.
lol I am sure female lottery winners have a lot of deadbeat men chasing them. Look at that one woman from that I won the lottery show. Cynthia?? Looks like she is "seeing" her bodyguard. Now you know that will not end well.
I think that was her personal trainer, and they are already engaged to be married. I see exactly where that will go...and it won't be North.
This one is a keeper though. She is the one who told him to check his ticket. Smart girl.
Good for him and his family
Hum, since this is the 4th of 8 MM winning jackpots in California this year, why not simply rename this lottery to the California MegaMillions lottery game? [That way players will understand better where to buy from if they want to win the jackpot!!!]
Congratulations to, massive, MM jackpot winner Ronald Willis!
Interesting that only HIS name is on the official Claim Form. Yet another HUGE jackpot winner that rushed to claim the millions in lieu of caring enough about his children to include their names and identical % or different %s for each amount divied in the Claim Form. [Maybe Ronald will plan to do it next tens of multi-millions net jackpot he wins, since he indicated intending to win more $$$.]
When I read the story over weekend, it was stated that he was 39 years old at the press conference.
Rialto Father of Four Hits Mega Millions Jackpot
Ronald Willis, 39, says the win allows him send his children to college.
After six years of playing his lucky numbers, Ronald Willis finally hit the jackpot. But this time, he strayed from his usual Rialto spot to purchase a ticket in Riverside. The 39-year-old won $120 million; after taxes he’ll get $70 million. Craig Fiegener reports for the NBC4 News on Sept. 14, 2012.
Ima gonna be a whimming whommin.
Congrats to Mr Willis. Here's to that long enjoyable moment!