In 1956, Willey became executive director of the American Society of Lubrication Engineers in Chicago, Illinois, now the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (since 1987), and would be executive director until he accepted the position of Executive Secretary for the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).
In 1956, Willey took on the role of executive director for the American Society of Lubrication Engineers in Chicago, Illinois. This organization later became known as the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (since 1987), and he held this position until accepting a position as Executive Secretary for the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).