Jim Voyles was raised on a farm in northern Macoupin County and attended Virden schools. He received his undergraduate degree from Murray State, and post-graduate degrees from Western Illinois University, University of Illinois-S, and Eastern Illinois University.
Jim served as an English teacher, coach, and administrator in the Decatur schools over an eight-year span. For four years he was assistant principal of Olney East Richland High School before becoming principal of Tuscola High School. After four years as principal, he was appointed Tuscola Superintendent of Schools, a position he held for 15 years until he retired in 2003. In 2004-2005, he served as interim superintendent of Villa Grove schools, and in 2010 he was recalled as interim superintendent of the Tuscola schools which he held for one year.
As an Army officer he served in Vietnam as an artillery forward observer with an infantry company and later as an artillery platoon leader. His decorations include a Bronze Star with V device for ground combat, an Air Medal for aerial combat, and an Army Commendation Medal, along with various campaign medals.
Mr. Voyles was elected to the Parkland Board of Trustees in 2016. He and his wife Dorothy reside in Tuscola, IL.