willey was born at east haddam, connecticut. he went to the common schools. then he started to study law at hebron, connecticut, in 1795 and was admitted to the bar in february 1798. he commenced practice at chatham and moved to stafford in 1800. he was appointed the first postmaster at stafford springs, a position he held 1806–1808. he lived in stafford until 1808, when he moved to tolland, where he since resided. later, he was also a postmaster of tolland in 1812–1816.