Fortune’s relations were prominent in Monmouth’s textile industry: two of his uncles were mercers, while his father was involved in the production of the knitted Monmouth cap.
Although one of his older brothers was also named William, there seems little doubt that it was Fortune who was elected to Parliament in 1626. Not only was he town clerk, but he also leased properties from the county’s greatest landowner, the 4th earl of Worcester. During the 1590s Fortune and his father, along with Moore Gwillim, attempted to obtain burgess status for one of Worcester’s retainers, a non-resident.
Fortune left no trace in the parliamentary record. He made his will on 2 Jan. 1639. Describing himself as being in ‘reasonable health’, he left lands in Wyebridge to his wife and directed that properties in Osbaston, to which she was entitled as dower, should be used instead to provide legacies. He left moderate bequests to two ‘reputed’ children, as well as to nephews and godchildren. His nephew, Walter Fortune, who later served as a member of Monmouth’s common council, was named as executor.