William Albert Fortune

William (Bill) A. Fortune passed away after a long struggle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome. He was born in Butte, Montana, on June 7, 1947, to Albert and Eva (Berryman) Fortune. Bill and his brother, Robert, were raised in Butte, with numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins. On December 27, 1968, he married Susan Grant in Bozeman, MT. They were married for 56 years. After graduating from Montana State University in 1969, he briefly worked for the State Land Board, now known as the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, before starting his career with the U.S. Forest Service. Bill and Sue arrived in Harlowton in 1990, where he served as the District Ranger for the Musselshell and Judith Ranger Districts until his retirement in 2003. He was an active member of Kiwanis International and St. Joseph Parish, as well as a member of the Society for Range Management.

Bill is survived by his wife, Susan, sons Luke (Crystal) Fortune of Helena, MT, and JT (Marlyn) Fortune of Anchorage, AK, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother.

Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at St. Joseph's Church in Harlowton. Father Cody Williams will be officiating. Please join the family, following the service, for a Gathering of Remembrance at the Kiwanis Youth Center. Entombment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Butte on June 6. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Kiwanis International or Journey Winds, INC. (Harlowton, MT).

Arrangements are under the direction of the Perkins Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.perkinsfuneralandcremation.com