Rance "Sonny" William Olison was born to Mrs. Carrie Kendrix Buggs & Joe Leslie Roberson on July 18, 1952 in El Dorado Arkansas Rance grew up in Fairview Addition in Union County. Rance graduated from El Dorado High School in 1970 where he received a football scholarship to San Diego State University. Rance graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Recreation Administration. He later attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello and Washburn University earning two degrees. A Bachelor of Science in History & Master's Degree in Education Administration.

Rance had a successful career playing professional football as a journeyman. In 1975 he played with the Hawaiians of the World Football League, 1976 San Francisco 49ers, 1977 - 1978 Texarkana Phantoms, 1979 Kansas City Chiefs, 1980 Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the U.S. Football League. Rance participated in the NFL Intern Program providing an opportunity to coach with the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots and the San Antonio Texans. Rance worked as an educator at Crossest High School, Topeka High School in Kansas, Del Valle High School in Austin, TX and Sam Houston High in San Antonio, TX where he retired in 2009.

In 2010, he became a member of the NFLPA Former Players San Antonio/Austin Texas Chapter, Inc. In 2014, Rance was named to the American Football Hall of Fame in Miami, Florida. In 2015, he was elected Chapter President of the NFLPA Former Players San Antonio/Austin Texas Chapter, Inc.

With a heart of giving inherited from his mother Ms. Carrie Kendrix Buggs, Rance co-founded the L.C. Ross Scholarship Fund helping over eighty children attend a college or university and created the Ms. Carrie Kendrix Buggs Charity. Rance said "If you want to be a gainer you must first be a giver" which he lived by daily.

Every October the Annual Ms. Carrie Kendrix Buggs Gala is held in San Antonio, TX. All proceeds benefit the less fortunate communities in San Antonio, TX & El Dorado, AR feeding hundreds of people during the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays. He passed out turkeys, five different meats, canned goods, stuffed animals, bicycles, clothes and made numerous donations yearly.

Rance donated turkeys and canned goods to 50 breast cancer survivors for Thanksgiving from the Susan G. Komen Organization in San Antonio, TX. Rance received numerous awards for his faithfulness and giving in El Dorado, AR and San Antonio, TX.

Rance was honored in his hometown of El Dorado, AR on March 11, 2017 at New Eastside Baptist Church for his outstanding community service. Rance Olison received City of El Dorado Proclamation from Mayor Frank Hash proclaiming Saturday, March 10, 2017 as Rance Olison Day.

Rance was married to Mary (Mae) Olison for 38 years. Rance had one son Rance "Buster" William Olison Jr and one step daughter named Kareem Thomas.