I thought he slapped a man for making a joke? I can see why many folks would see little difference, I mean violence is violence, but if we're talking degrees Id rather get doses of slap then punch. Still unacceptable in the situation, however, and I believe what ever issue Will had that night skills have been handled in private.
All that being said, the man has aged and people move on.
That's a pretty fast Sainthood, if I remember correctly. Didn't it used to take decades after death for that to happen?