Roland Howard Fortune, better known as "Bill" to all who knew him, was born on August 27, 1916, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Roland and Frances (McCloskey) Fortune. As a child he moved to his parents ranch in the Grindstone area north of Philip, South Dakota.

He received his education at the Lincoln Rural School and after graduating he resided in the Quinn, South Dakota area.

Bill was united in marriage to Irene Clements on September 23, 1940, in Philip, South Dakota. They made their home on a ranch in the Quinn area all their married life. In 1970 they moved into Philip where they resided while their children were going to high school. In 1979 Bill and Irene returned to the present ranch near Quinn where they continued to reside.

Survivors include his wife, Irene, of Quinn; six daughters, Kay (Dick) Williams of Philip, Judy (Dan) Harrington of Gresham; Billie (Donn) Hett of Buffalo, South Dakota; Janet (Boyd) Waara of Philip; Pam (Ed) Morrison of Philip; and Marylou (Pat) Guptill of Quinn; 25 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 3 step-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Eugene "Bud" Fortune of Creighton, and Vern Fortune of Kyle, South Dakota; four sisters, Darlene Moreland of Coeur'D Alene, Idaho, Marie Mortellaro of Philip, Maxine Nixon of Belle Fourche, Vera Nelson of Philip; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by one son, Scott, his parents, and one brother, John "Jack" Fortune.

FUNERAL SERVICES
10:00 a.m.
Friday, September 8, 2000
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota
OFFICIATING
Father Grosenberg
Father Bob Baden
MUSIC
Marianne Frein - Organist
Maureen Palecek - Vocalist
"On Eagle's Wings"
"Be Not Afraid"
USHERS
Jerry Nelson - Mick Mortellaro
Delane Nixon - Wayne Fortune
ACTIVE PALLBEARERS
All Grandsons -
Paul Williams - Jason Hett
Mark Williams - Tyler Hett
Ross Williams - William Morrison
Heath Morrison
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Michael Rotzien - Tate Guptill
Troy Guptill - Paul Guptill and
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota