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Craig Waller, owner of 24-Hour Fitness, has been named this week’s Greenville Advocate hero of the week. A native of Greenville, Waller’s dedication to his hometown has been evident throughout his life. 

After attending high school in Montgomery, he returned to Greenville and spent over 20 years in farming. Three years ago, Craig and his wife Amber expanded their horizons by opening 24 Hour Fitness locations in Greenville, Troy, and Eufaula.

“We’re just trying to make Greenville better together. That’s all we’re doing,” Craig said. “We just want to do our part and you know, put our money where our mouth is.”

Waller’s commitment to the community goes beyond business. Recently, he was seen pressure washing sidewalks in downtown Greenville. Inspired by the “Random Acts of Kleanliness” initiative led by Krystal Clean Exteriors, which provided free pressure washing and exterior cleaning services downtown, Waller took it upon himself to contribute.

“I saw that and I had already been thinking about something like that, so it was just like a sign that that was what I was supposed to do,” Craig said. “So I went and bought a pressure washer, and now we’re working on cleaning all the streets downtown. We’re just trying to leave Greenville better than we found it.”

Craig says that his sense of community stems from his deep roots in Greenville. 

“My people were early settlers in Greenville. We have a legacy,” he said. “It’s just my way of paying it forward. Greenville has been so good to me. It’s a great place to raise a family. So it’s just my way of saying thank you.”

Craig and Amber Waller, along with their daughters Sabyn, 8, and Whitley, 2, are active members of Lifeline Church in Greenville. Amber highlights her husband’s dedication to family and community as well as his work ethic. 

“He’s really good at giving back and he’s a hard worker,” Amber said. “He’s just a good man

 A good husband and father.”

The Wallers’ generosity was especially evident after multiple storms in recent months caused power outages and freezing temperatures. They opened their gym to those without electricity or heat.

“He just put it out there that we were going to open the doors and several people did end up using the facility. Just whoever needed it,” Amber said.

In addition to his business ventures, Waller has added a basketball court to the parking lot of his gym, leaving it open for free use.

“He did it mostly for the kids,” Amber said. “So they would have something to do that didn’t cost money. It gets used daily. I’ll come by there and there’ll be 15 to 20 people out there playing.”

Waller also supports various community causes, including the Cancer Hero 5K and the Butler County Achiever Awards. Craig hopes that his actions demonstrate his commitment to enhancing the quality of life in Greenville and setting an example of civic responsibility.