William J. Shields, known as Billy, was 22 when he disappeared from Chicago in early summer 1977; the exact date is not recorded but his disappearance is estimated to have occurred in June. He had been a patient at the Chicago-Read Mental Health Center and left the facility abruptly after discharge without his prescribed medication, a fact that heightened concern for his safety.

Described as a Caucasian male about 5 feet 11 inches and 100 to 150 pounds, Shields had dishwater blonde or sandy hair and sometimes wore a mustache. He attended St. Patrick High School and was a musician who may have taken a guitar when he left. His parents, Elizabeth Gartner and William W. Shields, have since died. The Chicago Police Department has kept his case open but reports of confirmed sightings or decisive leads have not emerged.

If anyone knew William, his routines, places he might have gone, or has information from 1977, please share what is known.