Maurice Williams was heading to work when he decided to cash in a $50 lottery prize at a local 7-Eleven. Instead of walking away, he used the money to grab another ticket. That quick decision ended up changing everything.
At first, Williams didn’t even realize he had hit the jackpot.
“I didn’t notice the matching number right away until I scanned it,” he said.
The winning number was especially meaningful because it matched his age — 59 — which he had just turned days earlier. Once the scanner confirmed the ticket was worth $5 million, the reality barely sank in.
Big Moments From the Win
- Turned a $50 prize into a $5 million jackpot
- Winning number matched his recent birthday age
- First call went straight to his mother
- Plans to buy his mom a house
Williams said he sat in his car completely stunned after seeing the result.
“I just froze. I couldn’t believe it,” he shared.
Even after learning he won the game’s top prize, he still finished his workday like normal. During a break, he contacted lottery officials to schedule a claim appointment.
The excitement made it nearly impossible for him to sleep that night.
“I tossed and turned all night,” Williams said. “It didn’t feel real until I got there.”
One thing he’s already certain about is how he’ll use part of the money. Williams says buying his mother a home comes first, while the rest of the winnings will be saved until he carefully decides his next steps.
The 7-Eleven that sold the lucky ticket will also receive a $5,000 bonus.
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