 Willey was an unsuccessful candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Delaware in 1940, being defeated by Democrat Isaac J. MacCollum.Two years later, in 1942, Willey was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating incumbent Democratic Representative Philip A. Traynor.He served in the Republican minority in the 78th Congress, and lost his bid for a second term in 1944 to his predecessor, Democrat, Philip A. Traynor.