Former Prime Minister and Senior Statesman the late Sir Francis Billy Hilly KCMG will be accorded a State Funeral scheduled for Wednesday, March 19.

Sir Francis passed on in Honiara on March 10 at the age of 77, a statement from the Government communications unit yesterday said.

Sir Francis was a pioneer politician who was the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands from June 18, 1993 to November 7, 1994.

He represented the Ranongga/Simbo Constituency in the National Parliament from 1976 to 1984 and represented the constituency again from 1993 onwards.

The body of the late Sir Francis will lie in State at the National Parliament Chambers from 8am to 1pm tomorrow for public viewing by dignitaries and members of public.

The Official State Funeral Service will follow at the Wesley United Church in Central Honiara from 1pm onwards.

The body will be transported for burial at his home Island of Ranongga, Western Province after the funeral service, the statement said.