The couple were married at Virginia Beach on August 20, 1932, and they had a son, Edward Eugene Willey, Jr. and a daughter, Twyla.

Ed Willey first entered public life in 1947, when he accepted appointment to fill a vacancy on what was then the Richmond Board of Aldermen.

On January 19, 1952, Senator Edward E. Willey took the oath and began his career that would span thirty-four years until his death in 1986.

[1] Following services at Centenary United Methodist Church, he was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Richmond.

The Edward E. Willey Bridge on State Route 150 which carries Chippenham Parkway across the James River and links the City of Richmond with western Henrico County was named in his honor.