Mega Millions jackpot winnner is Riverside father of four

A Riverside father of four is $120 million richer today. Ronald Willis had the winning ticket from Tuesday’s Mega Millions Jackpot and claimed his prize today at the California Lottery’s Inland Empire District Office.

“I’m not a yeller or jump-around type of guy,” Willis said. “When I realized I won, I just stayed calm, sat back and let it soak all in.”

According to Willis, he learned from coworkers Wednesday that the winning ticket had been sold in Riverside, and when he returned home that evening, he checked his ticket against the winning numbers: 5-11-20-33-36, plus a Mega Ball of 11.

All matched.

Willis said he had been playing those numbers since the start of the Mega Millions lottery in June 2005. He bought the ticket at a 7-Eleven store at 3740 Iowa Ave. he had not patronized before.

That retailer will receive $600,000 for selling the winning ticket, according to the California Lottery.

Willis said his winnings will ensure each of his children gets a college education. Other than that, he plans to “invest this money and make it grow.”