willey was elected member of the connecticut house of representatives for stafford twice and served from 1805 to 1806. he was also a member of the state house of representatives 1810, 1812, 1820–1821, this time representing tolland. he was judge of probate for stafford district 1818–1825. in 1823–1824, he was a member of the connecticut state senate. he was elector in the presidential election of 1824. he was elected to the united states senate for the term which started on march 4, 1825, but he did not serve until may 4, 1825, then he served for the rest of the term to march 4, 1831. he was chairman for the senate committee on agriculture in the nineteenth congress.