Meet Billy Griner, the hardest-working man in the DCSS

ALBANY, Ga. — If you happen to drive past the Dougherty County School Administration building on Washington Street during a weekday morning, you might notice a blur of motion meticulously sweeping the building’s sidewalks and gutters.

That’s Billy Griner Jr., and he might just be the hardest-working man in the Dougherty County School System. Griner has two passions in his life: his job and competing in the Special Olympics.

For the past 17 years, Griner has been working as a custodian for the DCSS, and he’s been a fixture at the Special Olympics for the past three decades.

“I’m really happy to have this job,” Griner said. “I try really hard to do my part. I don’t sit much, but I do take a break for lunch. Then at 12:30 I go back to work.”

Griner began his career with the DCSS in 1996 at Albany High School, where he remained until moving to Albany Early College. He moved to the downtown administration building in July of last year.

One of the first things he does each day is sweep the sidewalks and gutters, just like clockwork.

“I think it’s important for people to be able to walk on a clean sidewalk and see a clean gutter,” Griner said. “Plus, people drive by and honk and wave at me. I see a lot of people every day and I really like that.”

Griner also sets up the board room for meetings and is a general jack-of-all-trades in the building. He’s always moving.

As a Special Olympian, Griner has won more than 20 medals — 10 of them Golds.

“I run in the 400 and 800 (meters) and the marathon,” Griner said. “I like running marathons because it’s a long run, and you don’t have to think too much … you just run.”

At 43, Griner says he plans on remaining with the DCSS as long as he can.

But what will he do when he can no longer work?

“I don’t know,” Griner replied, “I guess I’ll run more.”