Panorea (Rhea) William

SCARBOROUGH – Panorea (Rhea) Williams, 93, of Portland, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones.

Born on Sept. 5, 1931, in the mountain village of Politsiani, Northern Epirus, Greece, Rhea was the daughter of Elias and Marigo (Economou) Shamos. She spent an idyllic early childhood in the village until the outbreak of World War II. When Communists took over the region, Rhea suddenly found herself behind the Iron Curtain in Albania. At 17, she, her mother, and a small group of friends bravely attempted to escape, trekking across knee deep snow-covered mountains to the Greek border—leaving behind her sister, brother-in-law, and niece. On a freezing January night, with only the clothes on their backs, they made their perilous journey. Two in their party died along the way. After 48 hours—frostbitten and hungry—they crossed the border into Greece and freedom. Rhea and her mother then made their way to the United States, where she met her father for the first time and settled in Maine.

Rhea attended the Waynflete School in Portland before marrying James Williams in 1951—a fellow Greek-American whose family also hailed from Northern Epirus. Together, they built a life rooted in love, community, and tradition. They had two daughters and ran a successful business: Jimmy’s Hamburgers in Scarborough, a beloved summer institution known for its burgers with grilled onions. In the off-season, they traveled extensively and spent winters at their home in Hollywood, Fla. In the summers, Rhea loved hosting family and friends at their Higgins Beach cottage, where she was always ready with a home-cooked meal and warm hospitality.

After James passed away in 2000, Rhea reopened the restaurant under a new name—The Cookout—at One City Center in Portland, where her fish chowder and baklava earned a new generation of fans. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, always offering a warm smile and “a little something to eat.” She was especially proud of her two grandchildren.

A lifelong member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Rhea was deeply devoted to her faith. She volunteered annually at the church’s Greek Festival and was an active member of the Ladies Guild, the Daughters of Penelope, and the Philoptochos Society. She will be remembered for her love of Greek food and traditions, her resilience, and her unwavering dedication to her family.

She is survived by her daughters, Elisabeth Smith and her husband Judson, and Esther Williams, both of Portland; her grandchildren, Jameson and his wife Tiffany Bossie of Cape Elizabeth, and Maia Pliss of Boston, Mass.; her nieces, Leta Dede of Portland, Elaine Shamos of Falmouth, and Joanne Schaufelberger of Chevy Chase, Md.; and her nephews, Michael Shamos of Mexico and Philip Williams of Paramus, N.J. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, and her siblings, Stavros Shamos and Kasiani Para.

Rhea’s legacy of courage, grace, and devotion lives on in her children, grandchildren, and all who knew her.

Visiting hours will be held at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home on Friday, April 25, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 26, at 9:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, with burial to follow at Forest City Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Cathy Truscott Caouette, Grace MacDougall, Darlene Edgerly, Ferenc Sandor, Thalia Budri and Jodi Maiers for the loving care they provided to Rhea for many years.

May her memory be eternal.

You may offer your condolences or share your memories at http://www.jonesrichandbarnes.com.

In lieu of flowers,

donations may be made to:

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

133 Pleasant St.

Portland, ME