Joseph Maxime Roy was born 17 August 1893 in Broussard, LA to Joseph Arthur Roy and Cornelia Bailey. He attended St. Charles College, Jefferson College, and Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette). He graduated from SLI in 1913. He was married to Edna Roy and they had six children. He died 21 May 1968 at the age of 74, and was buried in the Mausoleum of the Resurrection in Calvary Cemetery, Lafayette, LA.

Roy was a farmer until 1935 when he entered the real estate and insurance business. In 1936 he was elected mayor of Lafayette and served two terms, 1936 to 1944. In 1948, he was elected to the state senate, where he served until 1952.

His business career was highlighted by the purchase of the Gordon Hotel in 1953, and his leadership in the founding of American Bank and Trust Company in 1956. He was chairman of the board of the bank. Roy was also a member of the Knights of Columbus from 1914 until his death.