Born on April 29, 1877, in Emmetsburg, Iowa, Joyce attended the University of Michigan Law School and read law in 1900.
He entered private practice in Missoula, Montana from 1900 to 1910.
He continued private practice in Fort Dodge, Iowa from 1910 to 1917.
[1] Joyce was nominated by President Herbert Hoover on January 28, 1932, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota vacated by Judge John B. Sanborn Jr.
[1] His service terminated on January 12, 1956, due to his death in Hennepin County, Minnesota.