THE body of former Prime Minister (PM) and Member of Parliament (MP) for Rannoggah/Simbo Late Sir Francis Billy spent the morning part of this morning – Wednesday inside the National Parliament Chamber for the last time.
His casket arrived just after 8am this morning and was carried into the parliament chamber by members of the PRT where he lie in state for about five hours.
During that time leaders and representives from various stakeholders turned up to pay their final respect.
Acting Governor General and Speaker of National Parliament Patteson Ota and Madam Oti were the first to come in and paid their respect followed by Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and wife.
Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer and Lady Palmer joined in later followed by Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Bradley Tovosia.
DPM was later followed by the Cabinet Ministers and the Leader of the Independent Group.
Members of the diplomatic Corp and Consular Corp also turned up to pay their respect and all members of the family.
Representatives from the businesses houses, churches and government ministers also paid their respect.
About 14 members of the immediate family were present this morning inside the chamber to meet all those who came to pay their respect.
From the Chamber, the casket was transported to the United Church at 1pm for the funeral and sending off service.
The casket will be transported on a patrol boat to Rannoggah later this evening for burial.
Brief Biography.
❖ He was educated at the Government Primary School in Honiara (1958-1962), King
George VI School (q.v.) (1963-1966), and then at University of the South Pacific
(1968-1973), where he was a representative on the Students’ Council and the first
student to graduate with a B.A. (Administration).
❖ Before entering politics, he worked as a District Officer (1974), as Clerk to Makira
Province (1975), and then as Manager of the British Solomons Trading Company in
Gizo (1976).
❖ Late Hilly entered the Legislative Assembly as the member for Ranongga/Simbo in
1976.
❖ Parliamentary Service
• Elected to the National Parliament of Solomon Islands for Ranongga/Simbo
Constituency in 1976. Re-elected in 1980, 26 May 1993, 6 August 1997, 5
December 2001 and 5 April 2006.
❖ Parliamentary Appointments
• Chair, Parliamentary House Committee from 10 May 2006 to 22 December
2007.
• Chair, Public Accounts Committee from 15 November 2004 to 5 December
2005.
❖ Ministerial Appointments
• Minister for Commerce, Industry and Employment from 22 December 2007
to present
❖ Leader of the Opposition from 14 July 2004 to 4 April 2006.
❖ Leader of the Opposition from 1994 to 1995.
❖ Prime Minister from June 1993 to November 1994.
❖ Minister for Home Affairs.
❖ Minister for Health and Medical Services and Deputy Prime Minister.
❖ Qualifications
• Bachelor of Arts (Administration), University of the South Pacific
• King George Sixth Secondary School.
❖ Occupation before entering Parliament
• Member, Western Provincial Assembly
• Administrative Officer Solomon Islands Government
• Company Manager
• Self-Employed Businessman
