Sir Francis Billy Hilly, 1948 – 2025

I don’t usually cover politics, but Sir Francis Billy Hilly? I’m only human. He died on March 10, age 76; his bio begins, “Francis Billy Hilly was born on Emu Harbour on Ranongga Island,” and if that’s not a corking start to a children’s book, I don’t know what is. Hilly was Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands from 1993-94. Earlier, he was in the National Parliament, and later, was Minister of Commerce, Industry and Employment. Hilly was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 2012, and the only reason I go on living is the hope that somewhere there is footage of her solemnly saying, “Frahncis Billeh Hilleh.” I have been searching for something about him: what was he in favor, and in opposition, of? Left-wing or right-wing? Effective or kind of a placeholder? I have no idea. But I will remember Sir Francis Billy Hilly kindly.